**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, DEC. 13 AT 11:30 AM**

Nurses Sound Alarm on Unprecedented 50% Vacancy Rate at A.O. Fox Hospital

Nurses and Community Allies Demand Safe Staffing for Patients and a Fair Contract
A.O. Fox Spending Millions on Temp Travel Nurses Instead of a Robust Plan to Hire and Retain Local Nurses

Contact: Anna Sterling | press@nysna.org | 646-673-0419
Kristi Barnes | press@nysna.org | 646-853-4489

Oneonta, NY—A.O. Fox Hospital is facing a crisis of care due to severe nurse understaffing with an unprecedented vacancy rate of approximately 50%. The hospital faces more departures each day as it struggles to retain nurses due to poor working conditions.

To make up for vacant staff positions, the hospital has relied on expensive temporary travel nurses who often do not have the same training or commitment to the community as staff nurses. At A.O. Fox, most of the night shift is staffed by temp nurses. Staffing a hospital with majority temporary workers can put patient safety at risk. So far this year, the hospital has spent an outrageous $3.3 million on temp travel nurses, instead of investing in hiring and retaining local nurses.

WHO: Nurses of the New York State Nurses Association, and community and labor allies, including the Central New York Area Labor Federation

WHAT: Nurse speak-out to demand a fair contract that will help recruit and retain enough nurses for safe, quality care for the community

WHERE: A.O. Fox Hospital, 1 Norton Ave, Oneonta, NY 13820, Main Street in front of the Emergency Room

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 11:30 a.m.

###

The New York State Nurses Association represents more than 42,000 members in New York State. We are New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses. NYSNA is an affiliate of National Nurses United, AFL-CIO, the country's largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses, with more than 225,000 members nationwide.