July 28, 2006 – Nurses at Schneider Regional Medical Center were troubled earlier this week when they learned the V.I. Board of Nurse Licensure had voted to temporarily suspend issuing licenses in the territory; however, good news is likely to be on the way.
Angela Rennalls-Atkinson, SRMC vice president of nursing and patient care services, gathered nurses and lawmakers who were present for a Kimelman celebratory presentation Wednesday, in a hastily put together meeting to announce the nursing board's decision.
The board had voted to suspend issuing licenses – except in emergencies – starting August 1, and continuing until the board's next meeting on Sept. 21 or until an executive director has been hired.
The board's decision was based on the lack of an executive director who does due diligence checking backgrounds on license applications, Rennalls-Atkinson said. Also, the board's vice chair – who co-signs the licenses – is off island recovering from surgery.
The board selected Diane Ruan-Viville as a candidate for the executive director position before its previous director, Winifred Garfield, who retired in 2005, but the contract for the new director has been somehow stalled in the government's labyrinthine procurement process.
The nurses and lawmakers called a meeting with Acting Gov. Vargrave Richards on Wednesday, and on Thursday Sen Craig Barshinger, Health, Hospitals and Human Services Committee chairman, said, "The contract was in the Property and Procurement Office, pending an accompanying letter."
And that has happened, according to Cynthia VanWindergen, board chairwoman, who said Friday she has been told that the contract has only two more stops to make on its journey through government offices.
"Up to this morning the contract hasn't moved to the Attorney General's Office. It has to go to there and then to the governor."
Regarding her vice chairperson, VanWindergen said that wouldn't be a problem. "I have designated someone else to assist me. We've done everything we can to meet the needs during this month, and we have backup."
Rennalls-Atkinson said Thursday, "After receiving the letter [from the board], I decided to look into it. It is of grave concern. Not issuing licenses would impact the hospital and all other agencies which require nursing personnel. To give care, we have to have qualified personnel," she said.
"The bottom line is we have to issue licenses during the months of August and September. I met with the government officials as chief nursing officer as well as the representative of the V. I. State Nurses Association."
VanWindergen said she has a good feeling about the outcome. "I feel there will be no further delay. It is my feeling and my hope. We have a number of agency nurses every month who come, and those who leave and need to be replaced."
Back Talk
Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
