CampusRN Job Blog
Hospital, union laud first pact as benefiting patients
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Union and hospital administrators are touting Kent’s first contract with its nurses as a cooperative effort that will benefit both parties and patients.
“This is not about what I got,” Kent President and CEO Sandra Coletta said, “or what they got, but what we got.”
Coletta said much of the talks centered on procedural issues and systems. As an example, she cited scheduling and how the hospital deals with floaters or nurses who would fill in depending on where they were needed.
“What’s unique is that this is the first contract,” said Jack Callaci, field representative for the United Nurses & Allied Professionals. Hospital nurses voted to unionize last October.
posted in: news, Rhode Island
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Newport Hospital Receives Magnet Status Re-Designation
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Newport (R.I.) Hospital recently received re-designation of the Magnet status, joining an elite group of hospitals in the U.S. Only 2% of hospitals achieve this award more than once, according to a news release.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program identifies healthcare organizations providing quality patient care, professional nursing practices, nurse leadership and education, and nursing best practices. The center assesses all areas of patient care in a thorough, on-site evaluation, which Newport Hospital passed with flying colors.
posted in: news, Rhode Island
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R.I. hospitals agree on safety protocol for surgeries
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
All the hospitals and outpatient surgical centers in Rhode Island have agreed to follow the same process to prevent errors in surgery.
The protocol establishes detailed new rules intended to prevent the wrong-site surgeries that have embarrassed local hospitals in recent years. It also lowers the risk of confusion for the many doctors and nurses who work at more than one place, and who will now all follow the same routine.
posted in: news, Rhode Island
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RI rejects health insurance rate hikes
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Rhode Island’s health insurance commissioner has asked three private insurers to withdraw their rate hike requests.
The Providence Journal reports that Commissioner Christopher Koller on Thursday said in letters to Tufts Health Plan, UnitedHealthCare of New England and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island that the rate hikes, some exceeding 16 percent, were “unjustified.”
posted in: news, Rhode Island
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States Propose Legislation To Increase Nursing Educators
Monday, May 11, 2009
Rhode Island and Texas are creating new laws which aim to boost the number of educators in nursing schools.
The Providence Journal reports that Rhode Island lawmakers are considering a proposal that would grant nursing instructors a $3,500 tax credit, hoping that such a law will encourage more nurses to teach. As a result, they expect that more wait-listed nursing school applicants would be admitted. Currently, nurses who teach at the state’s nursing schools earn significantly less than nurses who work in private-sector jobs.
“Rhode Island faces a projected shortage of more than 1,800 registered nurses by next year and a further projected shortage of 6,500 registered nurses by the year 2020,” remarked Sen. James Doyle II of Pawtucket, who was quoted by NBC 10.
posted in: news, Rhode Island
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Growing the health-care industry could be the right medicine for R.I. economy
Friday, April 10, 2009
PROVIDENCE –– From downtown, the gateway to the Jewelry District is a shadowy highway underpass. Along its outer edge, abandoned buildings, warehouses and construction debris line the thoroughfare.
But in between, university scientists scramble for lab space, biotechnology companies test breakthrough drugs and hospital researchers plot clinical trials.
The Jewelry District is finally showing signs of life. As it grows, it is reviving the long-delayed promise that a graveyard of shuttered jewelry factories can become the birthplace of a biomedical paradise.
posted in: news, Rhode Island
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Stimulus includes break on health care
Monday, February 23, 2009
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) - For many of the thousands of unemployed people in Rhode Island, getting laid off wasn’t just about losing a paycheck. Many of them also lost health care coverage for themselves and for their families.
However, some of those workers will now be helped by the federal stimulus plan.
The package cuts by 65 percent the costs for COBRA , the federal insurance program that allows laid-off workers to buy health benefits through their former employer.
The reduction starts immediately for workers who lost their jobs after Sept. 1, 2008. They can take advantage of the subsidy for up to nine months. Even eligible workers who originally opted out of COBRA can sign up for the subsidized version within 60 days.
posted in: Rhode Island
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Budget proposal targets
Saturday, February 14, 2009
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Lawmakers continue to discuss the Governor’s cost cutting measures to reduce the nearly $400-million dollar deficit.
One proposal is to eliminate one teacher that is also a certified nurse from every school in the state. On Friday, certified nurses crowded the state house sending a message about Article 23.
The house finance committee heard testimony once again on the governor’s cost cutting budget plan.
Alice Brady from North Providence High School says, ?We believe that Rhode Island school children are entitled to highly qualified school nurses to provide care for them.”
According to the state local districts could save upwards of $4 million dollars because the pay rate could go down as much as 16 percent.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Lawmakers continue to discuss the Governor’s cost cutting measures to reduce the nearly $400-million dollar deficit.
One proposal is to eliminate one teacher that is also a certified nurse from every school in the state. On Friday, certified nurses crowded the state house sending a message about Article 23.
The house finance committee heard testimony once again on the governor’s cost cutting budget plan.
Alice Brady from North Providence High School says, ?We believe that Rhode Island school children are entitled to highly qualified school nurses to provide care for them.”
According to the state local districts could save upwards of $4 million dollars because the pay rate could go down as much as 16 percent.
posted in: Rhode Island
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Peanut Butter Products Recall Expands
Monday, February 09, 2009
The Food and Drug Administration FDA continues to add food products for humans and for pets that contain peanut butter to the voluntary recall list. As of Friday afternoon, the recall list included almost 300 products. FDA expects more products will be added to the recall list.
Because the…
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posted in: Rhode Island
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New Site for Pawtucket. Central Falls WIC Clients’ Services
Sunday, February 08, 2009
The Rhode Island Department of Health HEALTH wants to inform Pawtucket and Central Falls Women Infant and Children WIC clients that as of Monday, February 2, 2009, WIC services will be available at new locations.
On a temporary basis, Blackstone Valley Community Health Center BVCHC WIC…
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posted in: Rhode Island
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