NAGE Local R3-19 continues to be active at this site and serving its members. NAGE currently have members at the Home Base Program, BRECC/CLC (Rehabilitation, subacute, geriatric and Hospice) and the CBOC/outpatient services. Our members work day by day to provide a top service to our veterans. Our members’ role and responsibilities varies from the traditional nursing to a complex nursing practice. NAGE is aware of these needs, that is why NAGE participate in the monthly staff meeting at the CBOC, participate at the BRECC nursing meeting when schedule. Issues as availability parking space for patients and staff remain a great deal of concerns to NAGE member at this site. There is heavy equipment working behind the main CBOC clinic to allocate a pave parking area for employees. When completed this parking area will have 44 and 3 handicap spaces. This construction should be completed around mid-December. The new research building will take out some space currently used for parking. Construction for this building will start on mid-November. If everything goes as plan the total space for parking available after construction will be 94 in total. There will be a schedule staff meeting scheduled for November 19, 2009 with Mr. Armagon, Site Manager, and Loch Raven Campus in which the members should have an opportunity to address their concerns.

Members at the Hospice unit voiced their concerns about the management effort to have people certify in this area. Currently management hired 1 RN with certification in hospice and planning to hire 2 more nurses for this area. NAGE members at hospice area welcome the idea to have these specialty nurses but it is unclear how these new nurses will be utilized and builds a working relationship with those not certified in this area. Concerns about rotation outside the hospice area as well as rotation to other shift, NAGE members working at this area have served the veterans for years and wanting management to assist/ work with them to obtain certification and to consider knowledge acquired from year of practice and seniority when make internal decisions.