SEIU fielded a national survey of Union Nurses between April 5-22, 2020. Frontline Nurses feel let down by the federal government's weak response to COVID-19, and by their own employers' failure to protect them.
Here are takeaways:
92 percent of respondents answered “No” when asked, “Do you think the federal government is doing enough to ensure there is sufficient PPE and other protections for healthcare staff?”
82 percent of respondents answered “No” when asked, “Do you and your co-workers have enough personal protective equipment (PPE) to safely care for your patients and avoid contracting the virus?”
85 percent of respondents answered “No” when asked, “Can staff request and receive COVID-19 testing quickly and effectively at your hospital if they fear exposure?”
80 percent of respondents answered “No” when asked, “Does your hospital have sufficient staffing in place to handle the anticipated surge of COVID-19 patients?”
78 percent of respondents answered “No” when asked, “Is your hospital’s paid sick time policy adequate to meet the needs of staff who might get sick?”
69 percent of respondents answered “No” when asked, “Does your workplace have clear protocols, isolation rooms and directives on how to handle suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases?”
About the Survey: The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Nurse Survey was fielded April 5–22, 2020. The opt-in survey was conducted online in English using the Wufoo form builder, and included a national sample of 1,060 nurses living in the United States. The survey has a credibility interval of plus or minus 4 percentage points for all respondents.
The Nurse Alliance of SEIU Healthcare represents over 80,000 registered nurses across 21 states. The Service Employees International Union is an organization of nearly 2 million members united by their belief in the dignity and worth of workers and the services they provide. SEIU is dedicated to improving the lives of workers and their families and creating a more just and humane society.