The New York State Nurses Association (NYSN) says A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta is facing a crisis of care due to severe Nurse understaffing with an unprecedented vacancy rate of 50%.  In addition, the hospital is facing 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 Temporary Nurses, the Union said.  During a news conference held outside A.O. Fox on Wednesday (December 13th), NYSNA Caregivers employed there said 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, NYSNA Representatives said.

For More On This Labor News Story, Read: Fox hospital nurses hold rally in Oneonta | Local News | thedailystar.com

Photo Courtesy Of NYSNA’s Facebook Page.