'There's not enough of us to go around': VA nurses rally in Aurora claiming a staffing crisis

AURORA , Colo. — Across the street from the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora , around a dozen nurses rallied to call attention to what they believe is a staffing crisis at the hospital.

“Since COVID essentially, which was about the time that I started, our ICU specifically has been staffed at less than 85% of its functional capacity," said Jordan le Blanc, an ICU nurse at the VA. “The most immediate fear I have is that any veteran or any patient, any system will get less than they deserve, less than the total dignity that each individual really, really deserves."

One revealed cardio-thoracic surgeries were paused at the VA from September of 2022 to October of 2023, and that all cardio-thoracic"surgical staff had either resigned or were terminated" in that time. VA’s top priority is providing the world-class care that Veterans deserve, and we are committed to making sure we have nursing staff we need to deliver the soonest and best care to Veterans.

VA appreciates our partnership with National Nurses United and will continue to work with them directly to resolve their concerns.There is no nationwide shortage of VA staff. After a record year of hiring in 2023, VA currently has the largest health care workforce in our history – and we are retaining those great employees at all-time record rates. Because of these efforts, we are now able to deliver more high-quality care to more Veterans than ever before in our nation’s history.

Colorado Denver Department Of Veterans Affairs National Nurses United Office Of Inspector General Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center VA VA Hospital In Aurora VA Hospital Staffing Shortage

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