16 nurses to leave DPH by end of this month

A total of 16 of the over 200 nurses—about 8 percent—of the current nursing staff at the Commonwealth Health Center will not be renewing their contracts with the Department of Public Health.

According to department officials, though, the move was expected, in that majority of contracts with nurses expire this month.

“One reason why we’re being hit is that majority of [contracts] are expiring this December,” said Tina Santos of human resources. “We were expecting this and started preparing for it.”

Of the 16, 13 are nonresident nurses while the other three are from the United States.

Acting Nursing director Pasquana Calvo said candidates are currently in the pipeline for the soon-to-be-vacant positions.

“Its not like they’re going to be vacant until next year,” she said. “We have somebody in line being processed already for those vacant positions. It’s not like we’re going to go into a critical mess if we lose these nurses.”

Calvo said three individuals from the U.S. mainland are already confirmed to arrive soon to serve in the Emergency Room unit, while other units are currently actively recruiting as well.

“Every year we’re going to lose somebody,” she said. “Its not like they’re going to stay forever. They come here with their own plans, save money and some go elsewhere…whether it be in the U.S. or Europe.”

As reported earlier, some directly hired nurses have decided not to renew their contracts with the CHC because they are looking for opportunities elsewhere. Several have found job opportunities mostly in the United States. Others, however, have yet to take the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, according to human resource manager Marciana Igitol. Nurses are obliged to take the NCLEX within two to three years of employment with CHC.

Some were also recruited by other health agencies around the globe.

Igitol confirmed that the recruitment of nurses for the positions is currently active.

“[Since expressing their intention not to be renewed], resumes are being reviewed, applicants are being interviewed. HR starts reviewing applications and doing reference checks and verifying,” she said.

Calvo said that, although still short, the current number of nurses on island—about 204—is “still okay.”

“Right now we’re okay… we’re not 100 percent [staffed], and we are short in some units,” she said. “Like myself in my unit, I lost nurses but I’m able to staff my unit while waiting for new nurses to come on board. We’re sharing resources, using staff from [other units] to come and work during the daytime so other nurses can move to night shifts and weekends.”

DPH Secretary Dr. James U. Hofschneider expressed that the department would continue to recruit nurses and doctors for sufficient service for the public, while at the same time urging residents to consider the profession.

“We’re going to continue to recruit to make sure we have the number of nurses that is adequate to provide patient care safety. I encourage our local people to please consider nursing as a profession because if they get into nursing school, get a degree and get their license…they will have a job.”

There are currently 150 full-time employment positions occupied by foreign nurses.

The DPH decided last year to accelerate its direct hiring process following its decision to terminate the services of staffing agencies.

The government believes that direct hiring would result in, among others, improved quality in the delivery of service. The government also believes that direct hiring would prevent frequent turnover of nurses since they get higher pay when directly hired.

“As we were recruiting last year, they [nurses] did express that they were happier being directly hired, because for example [they have] the benefit of housing allowance and salary increase…it offers more,” Santos said.

Just recently, Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente said the Babauta administration is looking at offering more incentives to nurses, including a possible pay increase, in efforts to encourage them to remain in the CNMI.

“We try to give incentives such as increasing the salaries of nurses. The governor and I feel very strongly about increasing the nurses’ salary,” said Benavente said.