We, the undersigned, are writing to express our deep concern about the current work environment and conditions on M5. Over the recent years, there has been a growing concern regarding insufficient managerial support, a lack of accountability, and the persistent issue of staffing shortages that are severely impacting both the well-being of the staff and the quality of care provided to patients.

Despite our best efforts, these issues have continued to be ignored, leading to increased burnout, stress, and frustration among staff, which in turn is negatively affecting the level of care we can provide. Specifically, we are requesting the following actions be taken to address the concerns outlined below:

1. Improve Managerial Support and Accountability

Managers must take a more active and visible role in addressing staff concerns, particularly when staff feel bullied or unsupported. There needs to be a clear commitment from management to listen, act upon concerns, and provide real-time support when issues arise.

We urge for a clear and transparent process for reporting concerns about bullying, harassment, or unsafe work conditions, with consistent follow-up from management to ensure resolutions are achieved.

2. Address Staffing Shortages and Overworking of Staff

We are facing extreme understaffing, which is causing an overwhelming burden on current staff, leading to high stress levels, burnout, and decreased morale. The focus must shift from simply meeting financial goals to ensuring appropriate staffing levels that reflect the acuity of patient care needs.

The current staffing model, which appears to prioritize cost-cutting over care quality, needs to be reassessed in order to ensure that patient care and staff well-being are never compromised.

3. Support Staffing to Acuity as Outlined in the Contract

The contract clearly outlines staffing to acuity, but this is not being adhered to on M5. We ask that management stop taking actions that inhibit a resource nurse’s ability to ensure that staffing levels align with the needs of the patients and the staff, rather than prioritizing budgetary constraints above all else.

Our right to staff to acuity must stop being infringed upon.

4. Create a Safe and Supportive Work Environment

We demand a clear, actionable plan for creating an environment where staff feel supported, heard, and empowered. This includes regular communication from management, active involvement in day-to-day operations, and timely intervention when staff feel overwhelmed or unsafe in their roles.

A hands-off, disengaged approach from management is no longer acceptable in a high-stress environment like ours. We need leadership that actively supports us in providing the best care possible.

We believe these changes are crucial for ensuring both the well-being of staff and the provision of the highest quality patient care of which Stanford is renowned. Our dedication to our patients and our jobs is unwavering, but we cannot continue to do our best work without the proper support from management. We respectfully request that immediate action be taken to address these concerns to create a healthier, more sustainable work environment for all.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter, we look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

M5 RNs, NAs, USAs