What can be done to improve working conditions for nurses?

On Apr 26, 2022

Tracie Hayes, manager nurse in Mt. Carmel Health's Med/Surge unit, speaks tearfully about her experiences in the fight against COVID-19 during a press conference at Columbus Public Health on Tuesday, December 21, 2021.

Pay hike, more time off would remedy nurse burnout

I have several friends and family members who are nurses. It is a rewarding but exhausting career.

So many are retiring early or just plain quitting due to the extra stress these last couple of years have placed on them. I find that many of these people feel that they are underappreciated by their administration.

More:Columbus City Schools nurses plead for help, saying they’re overworked, overwhelmed

They often only earn up to two weeks of vacation that is combined with sick leave so if they fall ill, one could be out of sick leave and not paid for a week or so. Professionals like nurses should be given more time off to recover from the jobs they perform.

More:“Doctors and nurses crying after their shifts,” CMO says. ‘Health care heroes’ need support

I know that with the shortage, it is hard to consider giving more time off, but something needs to be done. A bonus or a boost in pay might help recruit more of these essential employees but the promise of more time off to recoup and recover would help a lot.

Pam Wheeler, Newark

Share your thoughts:How to submit a letter to the editor for The Columbus Dispatch

We have no faith in our government

Why is it a surprise that our state and/or national government has no trust in the Constitution or law?

We still face gerrymandered districts and two primaries costing millions, nonetheless, with a who-cares attitude.

More:After Ohio Supreme Court rejects maps, Senate GOP leader pitches pricey solution: 2 primaries

What about funding for schools, which our state Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional over 20 years ago. Still waiting while paying for schools though real estate taxes.

The elites who run this circus still collect their paychecks from “we the people.” Yet “Joe Sixpack” steals a loaf bread and he faces imprisonment.

Is it any wonder we have no faith in our present form of government?

Phil Schick, Columbus

School-based health center makes care accessible to all

We want to express our deep appreciation to Gov. Mike DeWine for recognizing the importance of school-based health centers, and awarding important funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 through the Ohio Department of Health to expand services at Heart of Ohio Family Health’s school-based health center, Heart of Ohio Family Health at Whitehall-Yearling High School.

Our planned opening at the high school occurred during the pandemic in 2020. While the timing was unfortunate, the need for the center was immediately apparent: a safe space to provide quality care during a healthcare crisis, that is convenient and accessibility for families.

More:Columbus City Schools to build new health care centers with partnerships

With this important investment, we are able to increase access for school students, parents, staff and the community seeking primary care, as well as implement new behavioral health and substance use disorder counseling services.

Our work at Whitehall-Yearling High School is a strategic effort to address healthcare disparities while reducing costs for taxpayers, and foster a strong economic benefit for the Whitehall community.