The US House has passed legislation (HR-5871) that would make four of the weeks under the parental leave program paid time off without charge to other types of leave. Under current law, employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, but employees commonly use sick leave and/or annual leave for part of that time, if they have such leave time available. The measure earlier was altered from the original proposal that would have made eight weeks of parental leave payable, in part to draw more bipartisan support; however, passage was still largely along party lines, 278-146. The benefit would not be available until six months after enactment and postal employees would be excluded, although many congressional employees would be included. The bill also authorizes OPM to extend the paid leave period to up to eight weeks, and permits employees to use sick leave for parental purposes without demonstrating medical necessity. It now moves to the Senate.

“An overwhelming majority of nurses (87 percent) say safety concerns influence their decisions about the type of nursing they do and their continued practice in the field,” says ANA president Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR. “This study exemplifies the serious concerns expressed by nurses across the country. Concerns that may prompt nurses to leave the bedside, exacerbating the growing nurse shortage. To enhance the safety climate of all healthcare workers, improvements need to be made to the workplace environment and staffing levels.” 

Congratulations to Sandra Nwankwo for being one of the winners of this year's NAGE scholarship program.   Sandra is the daughter of Theresa Nwankwo, RN.  Theresa works on 3B at the Baltimore VA Medical Center

Our congratulations goes out to Sandra and her family.  The Local wishes her all the best in pursuit of her education.

On June 5, 2008, the US House Committee on Veterans Affairs heard testimony on House Bill 4089.  H.R. 4089 if passed will enhance the collective bargaining rights of Title 38 VA employees, which includes Registered Nurses.  Please refer to an article below for more information about H.R. 4089.

Although, no unions were on the witness list accepted to appear in person before the Legislative Committee hearing, many submitted written testimony in support of H.R. 4089.  NAGE National President David J Holway testimony is attached.

All the testimony can be viewed through the www.House.gov website and folllowing the links to the appropriate committee hearing.

Thank You President Holway on behalf of all NAGE members.

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine shows that a lack of sleep can cause the brain to temporarily shut down. For nurses working long shifts and limiting their sleep, these lapses in functionality could be detrimental to patient care.

NAVIGATING THE MAZE FOR EDUCATION FUNDING-PART II TRAVEL FUNDING—THE ADDITIONAL STEPS NECESSARY TO APPLY FOR TRAVEL FUNDING

This is the second in a two part series designed to assist Nurses in the VAMHCS to receive funding for education/seminars required to maintain licensure as Registered Nurses.  The first part guided you solely through the steps for educational funding.    What if your educational course takes place outside the local travel area?  Yes, you guessed it there are additional documents/steps necessary to receive approval and reimbursement.

 The Loch Raven CBOC/Home Base and BRECC continue to grow fast and becoming one of the busiest centers of the VAMHCS. This campus currently serves veterans from all over the nation. Offering services such as rehabilitation, medicine, sub acute care, geriatrics, home base visits and out patients clinics. Now, the out patient clinic is expanding since its activation back in November 2006. With the new addition completed in February 2008 and the second phase of this project that has began with renovation of the former clinic and to be completed in June 2008.  

NAGE frequently hears concerns expressed by RNs about their inability to attend seminars due to the increasing cost.  The hospital does have an Education Support Committee which NAGE serves on.  Unfortunately, very few RNs take advantage of Educational funds available.

Below is a article written by Joyce Flayhan, Lead Nurse Advocate.  The article is Part 1 of a two part series.  The article will take much of the confusion out "what is required to apply for Educational Funding."

REMEMBER when submitting your request for funding - THE EARLIER THE BETTER.

NAGE supports commitment to a safer, healthier work environment.   Nationally in 2007 the VA had 25,000 injuries reported in ASISTS.  Of these claims 23% were slips, trips, and falls; 16% not elsewhere classified; 14% were struck by and against; 11% were related to lifting/repositioning  patients; 6% material handling; 5% assaults; 5% environmental/toxic exposure;  4% hollow bore needle sticks, sharps exposure, body fluids/splash, non-patient care; 3% cumulative trauma, and 1% suture needle sticks.   

Over the last several months, NAGE has been lobbying Congress to adopt a bill (HR 4089) that would restore a meaningful scope of bargaining for Title 38 workers at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Just this week, Senator John Rockefeller (D-WV) introduced a companion bill in the Senate (S 2824). The bill has three original co-sponsors, Senators Sharrod Brown (D-OH), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), and Jim Webb (D-VA).

Ten years have passed since the current nursing shortage began, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. Now a new book by some of the leading researchers in the field predicts that the shortage is only going to get worse, unless some drastic changes are made.

The National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) continues to provide a Recruitment Bonus.  For each new member you recruit you will receive a $25.00 recruitment bonus.

NAGE R 3-19 held its first membership meeting for year 2008. There were many issues that were discussed and some of them are still in the process of negotiation with management:

As we enter the summer season and the temperature in the 90’s, I hope that everyone is enjoying the weather and getting ready to take their well deserved vacations.

I would like to take this opportunity to apprise everyone of the recent accomplishments of  NAGE. We have successfully negotiated the process of doing the VET – PRO Credentialing Package. NAGE and management reached an agreement that is agreeable with the memberships and yet not compromising a safe patient care. This process is being mandated by VHA to insure that nurses are professionally competent in delivering care to our veterans  Another recent development is the VAS- TECH Scheduling Software that the VISN purchased and wants to pilot in the VAMHCS. NAGE met with management in May and have a Memorandum of Understanding signed on how to proceed with the implementation to insure that every nurse will be treated fairly and equitably in their work schedules.

NAGE had been talking to upper management in increasing the Uniform Allowance to help in the increasing economy. As of this date, management is in the process of making it happen.  Another issue is the functional statement of a Charge Nurse that NAGE has been asking management to develop in the past 3 years. The Chief Nurse Executive is willing to evaluate this issue.

There are 2 initiatives that the VAMHCS is piloting that affects patient care and safety. They are the Ticket To Ride and Rapid Response Team. So far, the input that we gathered are very mix feelings among the staff. Shortage of staff nurses and the continuing dissatisfactions are the main factors that hinder the success of any initiative.

Lately, NAGE has noticed that management has been implementing a more severe disciplinary actions that is not consistent to the charges. We will continue to monitor it and if needed, NAGE is prepared to take the appropriate action so everyone is treated fairly .

                                        Evelyn

Is it me or is nursing spending more and more time chasing the Perception of Doing Well than we are addressing Nursing Care issues and point of care problems?

I have been a Nurse for --------- Let’s just say for close to a very, very, very long time.