Defense Health Agency pauses nurse hiring amid pay concerns
The Defense Health Agency (DHA) has paused hiring some experienced nurses amid existing staff shortages and the threat of pay downgrades, reports the Federal Times. This comes after the Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service ruled that advanced practice nurses, previously classified as GS-13, should be downgraded to GS-12. DHA suspended the reclassification of affected positions but stopped recruiting new nurses at the GS-13 level. The agency is exploring the use of Title 38 authorities, which allow more competitive pay scales similar to those used by the Department of Veterans Affairs. However, concerns persist about the agency's ability to retain and recruit nurses, particularly if salaries are reduced. Union representatives and current nurses argue that the DHA's actions could exacerbate staffing issues, as nurses may leave for better opportunities elsewhere, ultimately affecting the quality of care provided to military personnel and their families.
More posts like this
