VA Nurses Protest Staff Cuts, Warn of Impact on Veteran Care

Nurses at the VA Medical Center in San Diego gathered on Wednesday to voice their opposition to proposed federal staffing reductions, expressing concerns that these cuts will jeopardize the quality of care offered to veterans. The demonstration, organized by the National Nurses Organizing Committee and National Nurses United (NNU), reflected similar protests taking place nationwide, from New York to North Carolina.

Andrea Johnson, a registered nurse with seven years of experience at the VA, detailed the demanding rhythm of a typical shift. “What occurs if you reduce the housekeeping staff, and it becomes our responsibility to clean the rooms?” she inquired. “If there are reductions in dietary staff, will nurses be responsible for delivering meal trays?” Each of these factors influences our time and our capacity to support our veterans.

The protests arise from VA Secretary Doug Collins’ suggestion to cut staffing back to 2019 levels—approximately 80,000 jobs—asserting that this will not impact direct care positions. However, there is a difference of opinion among nurses. “We’re already stretched far too thin,” stated Beverly Simpson, a VA nurse in West Virginia. “Further cuts… create significantly more opportunities for mistakes.”

Irma Westmoreland, a VA nurse from Georgia with more than thirty years of experience, stated, “We’re not going to allow them to bully the workers… or dismiss people without cause.”

VA officials assert that the reductions are aimed at enhancing administrative efficiencies. “Positions essential to veteran care — such as nursing — will remain unaffected,” stated VA Press Secretary Peter Kasperowicz.

Nevertheless, numerous frontline workers are concerned about the lasting impacts. “For years, we have faced challenges with staffing,” Johnson stated. “It seems we are being required to accomplish even greater tasks with fewer resources.”