Nurses in Watsonville on strike

Tuesday was the first day of a 48-hour protest across the state by 18,000 nurses.

“We want the ability to take care of our patients in a safe manner, and protect ourselves,” said Jennifer Holm with the California Nurses Association.

Holm’s has been a registered nurse at Watsonville Community Hospital for six years. She said the strike isn’t about money, it’s about lack of training and staffing.

“Sixteen hours of taking care of critically ill patients and not being able to get a rest break, by the end of that16 hours it’s unsafe,” said Holm.

And with Ebola cases now showing up in the United States, these nurses said it was the straw that broke the camel’s back when it comes to better training.

“There has been training for the staff who would deal with those kind of patients. There are some concerns by those staff members on the adequacy of that training,” said Holm.

In a statement released by the hospital to News Channel 5 health leaders said, “Watsonville Community Hospital is committed to creating a safe environment for the patients, employees, physicians and visitors at our hospital.”

But these nurses aren’t convinced.

“There is training that happens, particularly for some of these very infectious diseases that involves a great deal of practice. Getting a memo through email is not a great deal of practice,” said Holm.

While the strike is underway the Watsonville Community Hospital said it was secured qualified temporary replacements and will remain open as usual.