MAY, 2012

 

National Nurses week is one of the nation’s largest heath care events, recognizing the contributions and commitments nurses make on their daily lives and educating the public the significant work they perform for mankind.  The history of Nurses Day can be traced back to 1953 when Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health , Education and Welfare sent a proposal to President Eisenhower  to  proclaim a ‘’Nurse Day” in October of the following year.  It was not until 1982, when President Ronald Reagan designated May 6th as National Recognition Day for nurses. In 1990, the American Nursing Association Board expanded the recognition to a weeklong celebration.  As we celebrate Nurses Week  from May 6-2, 2012, I would like to recognize our VAMHCS nursesfor the exceptional job they are doing in caring for our “ Nation’s Heroes”.  VAMHCS nurses experience more adversities than their counterparts in the private sectors but  they continue topersevere and give the best and quality care to our Veterans. On May 12 at noon, every nurse around the world is invited to pause , take a moment of silence and create a Nightingale Moment by renewing our dedication to the spirit of nursing and blessing the hands of a “ NURSE” .

                                                            NURSES HANDS

                                   Blessed be these hands that have touched life.

                                   Blessed be these hands that have felt pain.

                                   Blessed be these hands that have embraced with compassion

                                   Blessed be these hands that have been clinched with anger or 

                                   withdrawn in fear.

                                   Blessed be these hands that have drawn blood and administered  

                                   medicine.

                                   Blessed be these hands that have cleaned beds and disposed of

                                    wastes.

                                   Blessed be these hands that have anointed the sick and offered

                                    blessings.

                                   Blessed be these hands that grow stiff with age.

                                   Blessed be these hands that have comforted the dying and held the

                                   dead.

                                   Blessed be these hands, we hold the future in these hands.

                                   Blessed be our hands for they are the work of your hands, O Holy

                                    One.

This tradition was started by a nurse from Virginia on May 12, 2000, and from there continue to spread all over the world. The month of May will always be a special one for us. This is a reminder why we choose this noble profession.

To all my collegues “ HAPPY NURSES WEEK”

 Evelyn

 

April, 2012

 

Veterans Health Administration was granted $ 550 million dollar to implement Real Time Location System (RTLS). This system will be used to track hospital staff, patients and equipment with electronic tags. The Department of Veterans Affairs intends to install Wi-Fi system in 152 medical centers through-out the country in order to implement this system. The VA plans to deploy 80,000 tags in each medical centers  and 3,000 tags in each of the seven mail service pharmacies. The different types of tags are Active, Passive, Instrument Tracking System and Temperature tag.   Active tags are small tag that will continuously transmit location information throughout the medical Center’s wireless network, and supplemental network where needed. This type of tag is battery  Powered, and attached to highly mobile or high cost assets/equipment.  Active tags provide VA staff with the capabilities to locate, and manage portable assets being used. The VA anticipate that this will reduce time searching for equipment,  and will improve the accuracy of inventory for routine operations as well as emergency preparedness.  Passive tags are similar to barcode levels and are activated by passing through portal antennas or by handheld readers.  Instrument tracking systems are two dimentional  barcodes  and are physically etched into surgical instruments.  Temperature tags are probes that will be placed in refrigerators, freezer or rooms and are hard wired to small  active tags that continuously transmit temperature information to an RTLS server.This RTLS initiative will track not only instruments or equipment s but patients and employees. These tags come in a variety of forms , such as name badges or disposable wristbands which will interact with sensors embedded around the hospital so the system can identify the real time locations of staff within the VHA facility.Although NAGE agrees with some forms of tagging such as tracking of equipments and instruments, we strongly disagree with utilizing this expensive RTLS system to tag and store data of the employees.  It is NAGE’ s belief that money being put to this system can be used to hire staff and purchase equipment’s  necessary to better serve our Nation’s Veterans.

NAGE National is pursuing the demand to bargain before implementation of RTLS and have a Memorandum of Understanding in placed.

  

   Evelyn

 

      

 

   MARCH , 2012

 

   In the last few years, the VA has implemented changes to the system to meet the new  technology in the 21st century. To name a few, we have CPRS, BCMA , Electronic Self Scheduling, Telehealth, and the most recent one was the Patient Align Care System in the primary  care setting. It has been almost 2 years since the PACT was implemented in most of the outpatient clinics within the VAMHCS. The VA was hopeful that this system will improve the outpatient care being given to the veterans by having an interdisciplinary group  in a teamlet . However, this Union has been receiving complaints from the nurses on why PACT is not working and not meeting the goals and expectation of the program.  The problems encountered are staffing, lack of equipments i.e.telephones,  disorganization of walk - in patients , secure messaging, medication refills, discharge follow up call for inpatients, and additional tasks that was not previously done in the old system. Most recently, NAGE was a part of a committee that involves the implementation of PACT in a Mental Health Model.  NAGE expressed the concerns that the staff is experiencing in primary care but the VA is determine to pilot it in selected VISN. 

Real Time Location Systems ( RTLS ) is the newest initiative coming our way. The Veterans Health Administration ( VHA ) has chosen this technology to provide hospital automation and efficiency improvements. According to VHA, the use of these systems will advance the quality of healthcare, improve patient and employee safety and reduce overall costs.  The tracking systems includes the Active, Passive , Instrument tracking system and temperature.  Although we are assured that the employee won’t be tracked , NAGE National is developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to this effect.

    Evelyn

 

 
Attack on the Federal workers continues to happen on a daily basis in the Congress. Our elected officials introduce bills that will basically strip most of the federal workers benefits  that has been in place for decades. As the country’s deficit rises, the more bills are being passed to help pay for the deficit. The federal workers salary is frozen for 2 years and the congress already passed another year freeze and probably more. Our pension, step increase, health insurance and threat of downsizing the federal workers in all different agencies including the Department of Veterans Affairs is the daily talk in congress.  NAGE is concern that our bargaining unit members are very much affected with all this changes. Staffing shortage are resulting to altercation between employees, work related injuries and numerous unsafe practices that affects the care being given to veterans. Management continuously denies and fails to address the real problem, and their resolution to crisis is adverse disciplinary action towards the employee. NAGE National is watching the daily attack on the federal workers and response as appropriate. NAGE is aware that our fight for safe practice is just beginning as more of our nurses are going on retirement and with budget cuts, the replacement are limited and some positions will be eliminated. As some of our collegues leave us to pursue the next chapter of their life which is ”RETIREMENT”, my warm wishes and congratulations for a well deserved accomplishment.
Evelyn

 
December, 2011
The year 2011 is almost over and with it are many unforgettable memories that some of us
will probably still be reminded  for years to come. We experienced hurricane, earth quakes, high
unemployment, homelessness, pay freeze, 2 threats of government shutdown , budget cuts and
many more that affected each and everyone. In view of all those adversities our VAMHCS nurses
remain strong , dedicated and continue to care for our nation’s Veterans.
As we celebrate this coming Holidays, please remember some of our collegues who are deployed,
sick and for those who had left us.
Let’s welcome the “New Year” with hope and anticipation for a better and prosperous year.
                                                            “ HAPPY HOLIDAYS”
 
 Evelyn

NOVEMBER , 2011
 
On December 9, 2009, President Obama issued an Executive Order 13522, creating Labor-Management
Forums to improve delivery of Government Services. The purpose of this Order is to establish a
cooperative and productive form of Labor- Management relations throughout the executive branch.
With this Order, a National Council on Federal Labor – Management Relations was established. The
Council are composed of members appointed by the President. They are the Director of OPM , Deputy
Director for Management and Budget, Chair of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, Deputy Secretary
of the VA Human Resource and the National Federal Union Presidents. Our National President, David
Holway is a member of this Council.  The National Council meets monthly and advises President Obama
on matters involving labor-management relations to the extent permissible by the Law. The Council
oversees and supports the creation of the Department or Agency – level Labor – Management forums
and promoting partnership efforts between labor and management.
 VISN 5 Management collaborated with the Unions within the VISN to form a forum . Henceforth the
 creation of VISN 5 Labor-Management Forum was established. The forum is represented by
 Management in the VISN Level and Local facilities and members of their Union partners such as
 NAGE, AFGE, NNU and NFFE. The forum Charter was developed and finalized on November 9, 2011.
 The forum will meet monthly starting in December, 2011 and for the next 30 months per
 agreement in the Charter. The purpose of the VISN 5 forum is to make the commitment necessary
 between Union and management to establish an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust while
supporting the VISN 5 mission and goals. Additionally, the VISN 5 Forum is to design , implement
and maintain within VISN 5 a cooperative , constructive working relationship between labor and
management to share information, identify problems , propose solutions , measure outcomes
and provide Labor – management guidance.  Furthermore, the LMF allows the Pre- decisional
involvement of the Union in all workplace matters to the fullest extent practicable, with a
 goal to jointly reach a resolution. The VISN 5 Forum will address a VISN – wide issues that affect
all 3 facilities that impact the working conditions of the employees.
The Local facilities are also mandated to form a local Labor- Management Forum so as to address the
local issues. The overall goal of this forum is to deliver the highest quality service .
 
 
Evelyn

 October, 2011
   A few years ago, VA implemented a new position called Clinical Nurse Leader . VAMHCS adopted
   this new position and started hiring and sending selected staff for certification. However the functions
   of a CNL was never clarified and nursing staff continuously question the presence of this added person
   in the unit. Many times the CNL is being counted as a regular staff that their real job function is being
   ignored. They are replacing the call outs in some units, staff on leave and the ever presence nursing
   shortage . The other drawback the staff is encountering is the lack of knowledge of a CNL in the unit
   that they are assigned. These problems are only a few, that when reported to management still 
   remain unresolved.
 
    As of this year, there are over 100 CNL’s in different VA facilities all over the country. VACO ‘s goal
    is to have 1,500 CNL by 2016. Each facility will have a CNL in every unit including the outpatient clinics
    long term care , operating room and etc. Starting March, 2012, a scholarship program committee
   will select 2 individuals in each VA facility to enter the CNL academic program. This process will
   continue until 2016. A workgroup has been organized and the first meeting was held in New Orleans.
   This workgroup consists of individuals from Office of Recruitment and Retention, Office of Nursing
   Service ( VACO) and Labor Partners.  NAGE /SEIU Local 5000 is being represented in this workgroup.
   The workgroup developed new criteria for application requirements, selection process, costs,
   selection committee, placement obligation and timeline.
 
     A Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL ) is a clinician that puts evidence based practice into action, collects and
     evaluates patient outcomes, assesses , cohort risk and has the decision making authority to change
     care plans when necessary. The CNL communicates directly to the other disciplinary group i.e.
     physician, social worker , pharmacist, Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist. The role of
     a CNL differs from the CNS in that the CNL provides leadership across all specialties at the
      microsystem level while the CNS focus is specialty population at the macrosystem level.
 
       Evelyn
        

AUGUST, 2011
 It seems that history is repeating itself or it must be me remembering the 90’s when we had
 staffing crisis and recruitment and retention was the primary goal of Management. This time
 around NAGE is more concern and alarm with this staffing shortage that is in the rise and
 Management refuses to acknowledge it. Nursing staff across the VAMHCS are stretch to the
 limit that is causing some nurses to work 5 to 6 days 12 hrs shift. When nurses are forced to work
 beyond their regular scheduled shifts, to the point of physical and mental exhaustion, they are no
 longer able to provide a competent and quality care. Nurses are caught in a dilemma, if you work
 too much , you might be violating your code of ethics, putting patient at risk and putting yourself
 at risk for legal action if untoward events occurs. If you refuse to work, management can charge
 you with abandonment. It is sad to say, but Nurses are always the victim.
 VAMHCS Management is aware of the poor staffing, lack of resources i.e. linens, supplies and even
 snacks for the veterans. Maybe this is the outcome of the budget deficit? Whatever reason,
 VAMHCS is not fulfilling their promise and mission to care for our Veterans. NAGE continues to
 encourage our nurses to file the “ Assignment against Objection “ form.
 There is a saying that” Beauty is in the Eye of the beholder” then “Quality of Care is in the Eye of a
 “Veteran”.   Quality of care is compromised when there is a shortage of staffing which results in
   low patient and nurse satisfaction.
   Our nurses concerns and frustrations are not left unnoticed. Your local NAGE officials continue to
   report it to the VAMHCS Senior Management and most recently reach out to our National President,
   David Holway for help . President Holway discussed our concerns and issues to the VA Management
   in the National Management and Labor Forum.
 
    Evelyn

  JUNE 2011

 

   On December 9, 2010, President Obama issued a mandate to implement the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010. Although the Telework policy has been in place for many years, there were only very limited use of it in different government agencies. The Department of Veterans Affairs was one of those agencies that did not support the use of alternative workplace. In the past couple of years,when the blizzards and snowstorms paralyzed the operation of the government, the present administration started evaluating and henceforth the issuance of the Telework  Enhancement Act  of 2010.

    There are some changes made to the new Telework Policy.  Each employee will receive a Telework notification letter indicating one’s eligibility to telework.  Positions eligible for telework are those work activities that are portable and are conducive to supervisory oversight at the alternative worksite. Tasks and functions generally suited for telework include work related telephone task( triage nurses) , computer –oriented work ( programming, data entry, web page design, web-based training) , report and work paper writing, policy development and analysis , financial analysis and etc. that do not depend on employee being at a traditional worksite. On the other hand, the positions not generally eligible for telework are those work activities that require a daily face to face contact with clients, co-workers, supervisors or the general public that cannot be achieved via e-mail, telephone, fax machine or other electronic means, daily access to sensitive data and trainee and student position. The new Telework policy establishes a single document, VA form 0740 ( telework Agreement).  It also mandates a telework training for eligible employees and their supervisor. However it limits one’s eligibility if the employee has a disciplinary action with regards to AWOL and downloading of pornography using government computer.

 Finally, the policy indicates that the employee must have “ a Fully Successful or its equivalent “ rating in order to participate. These guidelines and changes are outlined in the VA Handbook 5011,Hours of Duty and Leave.

   Although the VAMHCS started distributing the Telework Notification Letter to the employees, NAGE National is still in negotiation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Labor Management Relations, for the fair and equitable implementation of  the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010.

 

      Evelyn

  

     

HAPPY NURSES' WEEK

MAY, 2011

There are times in our lives when we sit down and wonder where our lives will lead us.
Sometimes we get caught up in our jobs and we forget what we truly represent. We get so frustrated , aggravated ,pushed to the limits and so mentally and physically tired that we feel what is the use in being a Nurse. But then someone gives us a smile and say “thank you,
you are so special”.
Then all the despair and dissatisfaction disappear and replaced by the core values that each and every nurse represent: Human Dignity , Compassion , Dedication ,Stewardship, Leadership and Excellence.
VA nurses are ministering Angels who give a tender loving care , encouragement and hope to our country’s heroes. They are the Doctors guardian angel against forgetfulness and their right hand in making sure that our Veterans are receiving the best and quality care that they deserve.
It takes a special person to be "NURSE”…. For you have immense sympathy for mankind , undismayed by any bad experience that comes your way , and many times unappreciated.
To each and every VAMHCS Nurses, I wish you a “HAPPY NURSES WEEK”

Evelyn