UAB Nurses, Staff Demand Better Working Conditions Amid Pandemic

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Amid trying times in the health care profession, nurses, doctors and hospital staff all over the country face strained working conditions, and some UAB Hospital staff decided Monday night it was time to voice their opinions on those working conditions.

A WBRC report said several UAB Hospital nurses and staff refused to clock in Monday night and stood outside the hospital in protest of their current working conditions.

"The COVID pandemic and recent Delta variant surge have stressed the healthcare system and put tremendous pressure on our staff – including nurses on the front lines," UAB Hospital chief nursing officer Terri Poe said in a statement to WBRC. "We are aware of our nurses’ concerns and are working to address them while adjusting operations to provide the highest quality care to our patients who need us. We encourage a dialogue with our employees – particularly in difficult times like these. Our community can help us support our nurses and all our employees by wearing masks and getting vaccinated to curb the pandemic that continues to put pressure on those who have been working to serve our state."

WBRC said hospital officials discussed the concerns with the staff and the staff agreed to clock in and care for patients, with the assurance that further discussion of the working conditons would continue.

Read more about UAB Hospital staff protests on wbrc.com.