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In a powerful display of unity and concern, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees and veterans gathered at the National Mall to address the pressing issues of short-staffing and potential cuts within the VA system. The rally highlighted the challenges faced by VA staff, including a governmentwide hiring freeze and a return-to-office mandate, which have significantly impacted their operation.
Andrea Johnson from the San Diego VA Medical Center expressed her worries about the inability of outside hospital systems to cope with an influx of veterans seeking care, stressing longer wait times if veterans were forced out of the VA system. The potential cut of nearly 80,000 positions equating to about 15% of the VA workforce, as announced by Secretary Doug Collins, raises significant concerns among employees.
Justin Wooden, a dedicated nurse at the Tampa VA Medical Center, emphasized the importance of hiring more personnel within the VA rather than outsourcing care, pointing out the specialized training VA nurses undergo to serve veterans effectively. The current staffing challenges are forcing VA nurses to perform additional duties, traditionally managed by support staff, which impacts their ability to provide quality care.
Amidst these concerns, VA facilities face logistical challenges, such as inadequate workspace leading to makeshift setups like working from parking lots. Buildings previously closed are being reopened without proper maintenance to accommodate the full return of employees to the office, as noted by Shawn Langlois from the Dayton, Ohio VA Medical Center.
The rally underscored the urgency for a solution, urging the VA and government to address the "ancillary positions" that form the backbone of daily operations. Nurses like Barbara Casanova warned that increasing administrative burdens could diminish their time with patients, ultimately affecting the quality of care veterans receive.
For more details on this issue, read the original article from Federal News Network [here](Source).
VA Employees Voice Concerns Over Staffing and Facility Challenges at National Mall Rally
In a powerful display of unity and concern, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees and veterans gathered at the National Mall to address the pressing issues of short-staffing and potential cuts within the VA system. The rally highlighted the challenges faced by VA staff, including a governmentwide hiring freeze and a return-to-office mandate, which have significantly impacted their operation.
Andrea Johnson from the San Diego VA Medical Center expressed her worries about the inability of outside hospital systems to cope with an influx of veterans seeking care, stressing longer wait times if veterans were forced out of the VA system. The potential cut of nearly 80,000 positions equating to about 15% of the VA workforce, as announced by Secretary Doug Collins, raises significant concerns among employees.
Justin Wooden, a dedicated nurse at the Tampa VA Medical Center, emphasized the importance of hiring more personnel within the VA rather than outsourcing care, pointing out the specialized training VA nurses undergo to serve veterans effectively. The current staffing challenges are forcing VA nurses to perform additional duties, traditionally managed by support staff, which impacts their ability to provide quality care.
Amidst these concerns, VA facilities face logistical challenges, such as inadequate workspace leading to makeshift setups like working from parking lots. Buildings previously closed are being reopened without proper maintenance to accommodate the full return of employees to the office, as noted by Shawn Langlois from the Dayton, Ohio VA Medical Center.
The rally underscored the urgency for a solution, urging the VA and government to address the "ancillary positions" that form the backbone of daily operations. Nurses like Barbara Casanova warned that increasing administrative burdens could diminish their time with patients, ultimately affecting the quality of care veterans receive.
For more details on this issue, read the original article from Federal News Network [here](Source).