FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 28, 2020
Contact: Kristi Barnes | Kristi.barnes@nysna.org | 646-853-4489
Two Nurses Have Been Attacked and Injured at Work
Yonkers, NY— Nurses at St. Joseph Medical Center are holding a speak out on Wednesday October 28 to demand action from hospital CEO Mike Spicer after staffing issues spark problems for nurses and patients.
Over the past few months, St. Joseph Medical Center has seen a decrease in overall patient numbers due to people staying home because of COVID-19. Hospital Administration is using this as an excuse to decrease staffing throughout the facility.
In the mental health units, where patient count has not decreased but the number of nurses on a shift has decreased, there has been an increase in violence. In fact, over the last several months, two nurses have been attacked and injured, and police have been called several times to respond to violent incidents.
Nurses are also speaking out about understaffing in the emergency department, where there have been situations where two nurses have been tasked with caring for 30 patients.
Last week, nurses at St. Joseph Medical Center delivered a petition to CEO, Mike Spicer, and sought to have a conversation about the need for safe staffing levels and improvements to other working conditions. Instead, Mike Spicer called security on nurses, and used demeaning, anti-immigrant language to attack NYSNA nurse leaders and representatives.
Nurses are speaking out for respect for all nurses and patients in Yonkers, including immigrants. They are also speaking out for safer working conditions and safe, appropriate patient care in the inpatient mental health units and throughout the hospital.
WHO: St. Joseph Medical Center nurses, community allies, and elected officials, including Yonkers City Council President Mike Khader.
WHAT: Speak Out for Respect, Safe Patient Care and Nurse Safety at St. Joseph Medical Center
WHEN: Wednesday, October 28 from 10:00AM -11:00AM
WHERE: St. Joseph Medical Center
127 South Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701
VISUALS: Masking and social distancing will be strictly observed.
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The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) represents more than 42,000 members in New York State. We are New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses. For more information, please visit our website at www.nysna.org
