Eilat's Ichilov Hospital Nurses Struggle With Overwork Amid Staffing Shortages
At Ichilov Hospital's Internal Medicine Department E, nurse Yarden Cohen starts her day at 8:30 a.m. already behind schedule due to numerous urgent tasks including shift handover, patient hygiene, and vital signs measurement. The department faces chronic understaffing, forcing nurses to care for up to 12 patients per shift, often including additional duties like feeding and washing patients due to lack of aides. Cohen describes the intense workload: "Yesterday, I didn't eat or take a bathroom break all shift." The department also manages isolated patients with drug-resistant bacteria, adding complexity and time-consuming protective measures.
Cohen, who has worked in internal medicine for seven years following her mother’s 40-year nursing career, emphasizes the importance of maintaining humanity despite the pressure. Nurses spend excessive time on computer documentation, reducing direct patient care. She supports the ongoing nurses’ union labor dispute, citing years of unresolved issues and insufficient staffing that compromise care quality and nurse well-being.
Deputy head nurse Amira Habishi Azam recounts feeding a dependent patient late due to isolation protocols and staff shortages, highlighting the emotional toll. Team leader Mahmoud Agbaria notes that the lack of time for personal interaction with patients affects care quality. Head nurse Felicia Zahalka points to frequent overtime and staff turnover, with five nurses leaving last year due to workload. She stresses that nurses now perform multiple roles beyond their scope, including psychological and social support, and even technical fixes.
The nurses’ union chairman, Shaul Skif, confirms a severe shortage of thousands of nursing positions nationwide, demanding urgent government action to prevent system collapse. Despite the challenges, Cohen remains committed to nursing, finding fulfillment in patient recoveries and personal connections. She acknowledges thoughts of quitting but is motivated by the impact she makes on patients’ lives.
This portrait of a demanding hospital environment underscores the critical need for increased staffing, expanded nursing authority, and systemic reforms to support nurses and improve patient care in Israel’s healthcare system.
