More than 140 nurses and healthcare workers lined the sidewalks along Truxtun Avenue outside Mercy Hospital Downtown on Thursday, calling on Dignity Health to reverse recent staffing cuts they say could put patients at risk.
A total of 137 positions are being eliminated across 2 California hospitals, including 57 jobs in Kern County. The layoffs affect licensed vocational nurses, support staff, and other frontline healthcare workers. All layoffs will be effective immediately on Aug. 3.
Emergency department nurse Jennifer Mueller said the cuts are forcing remaining staff to absorb duties previously handled by other workers…