KPBS Evening Edition

VA San Diego Nurses Call For Improved Patient Care

By Dwane Brown / KPBS Evening Edition Anchor/Reporter

Published July 23, 2014 at 3:08 PM PDT

This story was published more than 10 years ago.

Patients wait their turn at the VA Medical Center in La Jolla on June 20, 2014. VA officials say existing patients can make an appointment to see their doctor within two weeks, but new patients often can't get in for six weeks.

Registered nurses at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in La Jolla held a press conferences Wednesday to recommend changes that they say would improve service for veterans.

The VA has recently come under fire for service delays that have resulted in deaths at other VA medical center locations.

The nurses today said chronic understaffing and inadequate training have led to the problem.

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"We've moved in the last two years into a process of turning the veterans into pegs that just get put in holes," said Michele Jacquin, a VA nurse in the intensive care unit.

The nurses are calling for a permanent increase in staff support and more operating room space to reduce wait times. They are also seeking an election to unionize about 500 registered nurses at VA San Diego hospital.

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Dwane Brown

Brown started his career with KPBS in the early '90s as a radio anchor and reporter before expanding his broadcast news experience at CBS radio and television in New York. He’s been a news director, anchor, reporter and correspondent in San Francisco and has worked as a writer, producer, assignment editor and talk show host. He returned to KPBS in 2005. As the former anchor for KPBS Evening Edition, Brown provided an in-depth look at issues and stories relevant to San Diego. He spent nearly seven years as anchor/host of Morning Edition on KPBS Radio. Between 2006 and 2010, the San Diego Press Club named Brown "Best Morning Newscaster" in San Diego Radio. In 2006, the Society of Professional Journalists also named him "Best Morning Newscaster." During that time he managed and taught a two-week high school boot camp for aspiring radio reporters at KPBS in conjunction with the California Chicano News Media Association. Brown studied English/Journalism at San Diego State University and is a Fast Trac graduate from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. He’s a popular public speaker and Toastmaster International member. He’s been master of ceremonies for the American Red Cross, VA Medical Center San Diego, Urban League, San Diego Office of Emergency Services and numerous foundations. Brown is also a voice actor for movie, documentary, television, radio and Internet projects.

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