Registered nurses at Doctors Medical Center (DMC) in Modesto, California, are set to hold a picket on Tuesday, July 30th, raising critical concerns about patient safety and persistent understaffing issues. The action, organized by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU), aims to spotlight what nurses describe as a dangerous decline in patient care standards at the Tenet Healthcare Corporation-owned hospital.
Nurses at Doctors Medical Center report that mismanagement of registered nurse staffing by hospital administration has led to a significant deterioration in their ability to provide adequate patient care over recent months. The situation reached a critical point last week when management instructed RNs to leave their shifts prematurely. This decision forced the remaining nursing staff to take on an increased number of patients, exacerbating already strained resources. Nurses emphasize that nearly every unit within Doctors Medical Center is currently facing staff shortages.
Lynn Warmerdam, a case management RN at DMC, stated, “When hospital management rations nursing care, it directly results in increased complications and preventable deaths for patients.” Warmerdam further emphasized the ethical responsibility nurses feel, adding, “As RNs, we have a moral obligation to advocate for our patients’ well-being and openly oppose this injustice. Doctors Medical Center management’s continued prioritization of profits over patients is unacceptable, and we, the RNs, will not tolerate it.”
The public picket, intended to raise awareness of these critical issues, will take place on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. outside Doctors Medical Center, located at 1441 Florida Ave, Modesto, CA. Members of the media are invited to attend to learn more about the nurses’ concerns directly from those on the front lines of patient care.
In response to what they deem unsafe working conditions, nurses at Doctors Medical Center have filed numerous Assignment Despite Objection (ADO) forms, officially documenting instances of inadequate staffing. The challenging work environment has also contributed to a concerning exodus of experienced RNs from DMC. This departure of seasoned professionals creates a significant gap in mentorship and training for newly graduated nurses, further straining the hospital’s capacity to deliver high-quality care.
The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United represents approximately 1,200 registered nurses at Doctors Medical Center. CNA is recognized as the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association for registered nurses in the United States, boasting over 100,000 members across more than 200 facilities in California and nearly 225,000 RNs nationwide. The organization is committed to advocating for both nurses and patients, ensuring safe and effective healthcare for communities across the country.
