Hunter
10/01/21
The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics announced this week that they will double extra shift premium pay for inpatient nurses and respiratory therapists for the next seven weeks.
The Gazette reports that the differential will increase from $15 to $30 an hour beginning Sunday on all extra shifts of four or more hours for eligible employees.
UI Health Care’s Chief Nursing Executive Kimberly Hunter and Human Resources Associate Vice President Jana Wessels told employees in a message that the increase is a way to express their deep appreciation to everyone who has worked so hard during the pandemic.
Last week, UIHC Chief Executive Officer Suresh Gunaskaran told reporters that employee burnout is one of the biggest challenges during the current surge in COVID-19 cases. He said the hospital is full of all type of acute patients, including COVID sufferers.
Hundreds of openings are available in the UIHC for nurses, food service workers, housekeepers, maintenance staff, assistants and aides that have gone unfilled due to a lack of candidates.