Two CHC nurses quit, more verbalize intention to resign

The number of nurses at the Commonwealth Health Center may decline in the coming months because of anticipated resignations due to among other things, uncertainty in their retirement contributions.

Just last Friday, nursing director Leticia Reyes confirmed to Saipan Tribune that two nurses tendered their resignations and are planning to relocate to the U.S. mainland.

These two nurses are from the medical/surgical department and from the emergency room of the Commonwealth Health Center.

CHC currently has 167 nurses made up of registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, certified nurse midwives, and nursing assistants.

Due to its limited finances, the healthcare corporation has been forced to maintain this low number of FTEs.

To keep the 167 FTEs, Saipan Tribune learned that two in-house nursing staffers, who are qualified for the job, were laterally transferred to the hospital as replacements to the aforementioned nurses who have resigned.

A group of nurses interviewed by Saipan Tribune disclosed that more of their peers have already made their intention to resign in the coming months, or serve only until the end of their contract terms.

Reyes, for her part, also confirmed Friday that many nurses have already “verbalized” to their superiors about their plans to leave CHC.

However, she said until they file the formal document, nurse staffing at the hospital is expected to remain the same.

Most employment contracts of nurses at CHC will expire in November-a year after the formal takeover of the corporation last year.

A registered nurse for several years said her planned departure was due to her intention to refund her contribution to the NMI Retirement Fund.

She believes that it is only through separation from service that she can able to get back her contribution, which she believes may only go to waste due to its near-collapsed status.

Two others say, they are planning to seek employment elsewhere due to the uncertainty of the hospital’s budget which resulted in numerous delays in their paychecks.

This April marked the fifth month delay of hospital personnel’s housing allowance. To save on their budget, Saipan Tribune learned some employees have decided to share housing arrangements with their peers.

The housing allowance was provided by the then Department of Public Health as added incentive for off-island hires. Some $600 monthly is being provided to single employees, while $800 is extended for those with families.

Reyes told Saipan Tribune that she’s still hopeful that the corporation will fulfill its promise to provide the delayed benefit once money is made available.

Reyes, and other nurses, are counting on the remaining balance from the Marianas Public Land Trust’s $3-million loan agreement of which $1 million was already been drawn down.

The nursing director reiterated that her communication with nursing staff is “constant and open.”

Saipan Tribune learned that CHC has a ratio of one nurse for every five patients daily. In excess of the maximum five patients, additional nurses are being called to render overtime.