By Mia Khatib
mia.khatib@triangletribune.com
DURHAM — Registered nurses and National Nurses United members held a protest outside the Durham VA Medical Center Thursday afternoon to demand more flexible work hours. Last summer, the Durham VA piloted an alternate work schedule, known as “72/80,” in two inpatient units but has yet to expand the policy. It allows for more time off between shifts by paying nurses an 80-hour wage for 72 hours of work.
“We’re sensing a lot of moral distress among nurses that they could go anyplace else and get this schedule, but they can’t get it here,” Libby Manly, RN, told The Tribune. “Nurses are thinking of leaving because they’re not getting the flexibility and the alternative work schedule that we’re asking for.”
The NNU represents nearly 1,000 registered nurses at Durham VA, and associate director Ann Marie Patterson-Powell said the pilot, which ended in January, showed excellent results. They retained all nurses in the program, recruited other nurses, and saved a half-million dollars in those two units alone.
“They have been dragging their feet, ignoring our requests for information, ignoring our pleads to move forward. As a result, we’re losing nurses,” she said. “We are asking for industry standard scheduling. Nurses are suffering from moral distress and when the VA nurse suffers, the veteran suffers.”
The policy is expected to save Durham VA $1.78 million annually if implemented, the NNU reported in a press release. And, according to a 2023 statement by the American Nurses Association, 91% of VA facilities reported severe nurse shortages during fiscal year 2022.
With lengthy hiring processes, registered nurses like Noelle Ardley said 72/80 is crucial to decreasing burnout, improving efficiency, and maintaining patient safety. To her, the policy is a win-win because patient and nurse satisfaction are interconnected.
“My dad being a vet is why I’m out here. I want him to have the best patient care. I don’t want him to have to have a nurse who is burnt out or feels that she’s not appreciated,” she said. “In a way, management not responding to us is telling us that we’re not appreciated.”
Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam also lent her support to the protesting nurses. She said it’s a matter of fair working benefits, and more elected leaders should be standing up for Durham’s workers.
“The only way we’re able to support all of the veterans across Durham County is through a strong VA system, and we can’t do that if we don’t have our nurses supported in the workplace,” she said. “We can’t do that if our nurses don’t even know if they’re able to have the benefits to take care of themselves and their families.”
Mia Khatib, who covers affordable housing and gentrification, is a Report for America corps member.
