Thursday, October 7, 2010

No pay increases for Nurses/staff at WMC since 2007?

According to sources inside the Winchester Medical Center, nurses/staff have not received a "cost of living increase" since 2007. 

There is some conflicting information whether or not the nurses/staff were promised a pay increase after meeting the Magnet Designation announced back on September 16, 2008 and more recently, another pay increase for the nurses/staff meeting the American Hospital Association requirements.

The perception is that due to the lack of pay increases is the reason why some nurses who reside in Winchester and Frederick County are leaving the WMC and going across the mountain for better pay.

For the record, The Pub has advocated that the nurses and blue collar workers are under compensated.  Reference this link dated October 14, 2009 ...


The “Winchester Medical Center” has been very profitable for years 2000-2008:
2000 $11,917,127
(per www.faqs.org/tax-exempt/VA/Winchester-Medical-Center.html#)
2001 $4,262,944
(per www.faqs.org/tax-exempt/VA/Winchester-Medical-Center.html#)
2002 $25,868,766
(per www.faqs.org/tax-exempt/VA/Winchester-Medical-Center.html#)
2003 $35,113,921
(per www.faqs.org/tax-exempt/VA/Winchester-Medical-Center.html#)
2004 $46,711,931
(per www.faqs.org/tax-exempt/VA/Winchester-Medical-Center.html#)
2005 $54,346,679
(per IRS990 & www.faqs.org/tax-exempt/VA/Winchester-Medical-Center.html#)
2006 $57,422,789
(per IRS990 & www.faqs.org/tax-exempt/VA/Winchester-Medical-Center.html#)
2007 $66,617,961
(per IRS990 & www.faqs.org/tax-exempt/VA/Winchester-Medical-Center.html#)
2008 $9,500,911
(per IRS990 & www.faqs.org/tax-exempt/VA/Winchester-Medical-Center.html#)
2009 N/A


Maybe the short comings in WMC’s profits in 2008 led to the Valley Health officials in not giving a "cost of living" pay increases for the nurses/staff.  Based on these figures above, it's the only thing that seems logical.

But for some WMC and VHS executives, they still received some type of pay increase from 2007 to 2008 and most notable, the former CEO/PRES compensation package increases.
Valley Health System's Top Salaries and Top Contractors

For the record, there has been no rebuttal featured in the Winchester Star toward Mrs. Luttrell's commentary since it appeared in print on January 17, 2009.

Short of nurses

I am writing this letter concerning the Jan. 10 article in The Star headlined “Nonprofit paradox.” I understand the “pie” Valley Health community benefit. I understand the hospital is a nonprofit hospital. But the
Winchester Medical Center is very short of nurses.

Several times when my husband has been a patient, I overhear in the hallways, “We are short this shift.” There has been one nurse at a time on a floor to handle 12 rooms. That is one reason, as a care-giver, I stay 24/7.

The point I am getting to is the CEO and administrators whose salaries were posted in the paper could take a lesser pay and see that the money goes to the nursing income. This would make it more inviting to the nursing community to nurse there.

I know of several nurses who are leaving the area because of the pay. These people who get these big salaries have only a medical back ground in books. They are not like the nurses who take care of patients to see they are well. They are short-paid!

I think this “nonprofit” hospital needs to reline its incomes to help the community get more nurses and pay them well enough to want to stay here.

I am not saying my husband did not get good care, because he did. But I was with him 24/7 during his stay. I welcome any response to this letter. If I am wrong, please do not hesitate to answer.


FRANCES LUTTRELL Frederick County
January 17, 2009
Winchester Star's Letter to Editor

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey, Pibb--
The nurses were never promised pay raises for Magnet designation--that's not what it's about. The impetus behind the Magnet program is two fold: a) to improve overall quality of patient care; and b) to create an environment that supports the practice of nursing and focuses on professional autonomy, decision making at the bedside, nursing involvement in determining the nursing work environment, professional education, career development and nursing leadership. This is accomplished with the support and participation of all the departments and employees in the hospital, not just nursing.
Regarding the AHA thing, I'm not sure what you're talking about. AHA doesn't have "requirements" to meet. They do not certify nursing programs within hospitals.

THE PIBBSTER said...

Thanks "anonymous", your comments have been forwarded onto my source for their comment and to get more detail on the AHA requirement that they were referencing.

Just to clarify, the question headline was stated that no pay increases for "nurses/staff" at WMC?.

THE PIBBSTER said...

A portion of the e-mail from a source the other day.

"They were supposed to get a raise when they met that charter status and again when they met the Amer. Hosp. Assoc. requirements but did not either time. A lot of the RN's are pissed."

Heck, even a poster called "tiredmom" on WincStar's website is quoted:

"Are you aware staff have not had a cost of living raise since 2007? How many of you, in favor of this have rec'd a raise? Many positions have been reduced..so the next time you are a patient and feel like your nurse, aide or Dr aren't giving you enough attention...remember, they have to work HARDER just to maintain the income they have now."

tiredmom

Anonymous said...

No dang wonder nurses are leaving. If true, that the nurses have not received at least a cost of living increase since 2007.

What's the ole saying, you're only as good as those individuals that your surround yourself with. As someone said, about 1 in 15 nurses are from this local area, now it only makes sense, the lack of pay is driving the local nurses outta here.

Anonymous said...

There was a time at WMC when the management encouraged employee input at monthly "teas". When they were replaced, continuing education for the professional nursing staff was cut, older experienced nurses with higher salaries were released and the environment became antagonistic to staff. The nurses continue to work hard and do provide excellent care but are treated quite disrespectfully. I'm not normally a union supporter, but Valley Health is a prime example why a union is needed. RN's are at a disadvantage for employment locally since Valley Health has "consumed" surrounding community hospitals.

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