Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital nurses protest CommonSpirit layoffs and service cuts

Registered nurses at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital in Grass Valley, California, organized a rally on August 6, 2026 to oppose CommonSpirit Health’s plan to lay off seven nurses – five from the Family Birth Center and two from the Ambulatory Treatment Center – and to cut the ambulatory clinic’s extended hours. The nurses argue that the proposed reductions will limit patient access to essential infusion therapies, delay treatments, and jeopardize safety, especially in labor and delivery emergencies.

CommonSpirit sent formal notices in June outlining the staffing cuts and the hour reductions for the Ambulatory Treatment Center, which currently operates beyond 5 p.m. on weekdays and on weekends. Hospital representatives said operations were not affected and emphasized a commitment to patient and caregiver safety while respecting the right to protest. The protest featured statements from nurses Kaylie Spittler and Lizary Jones, who highlighted the critical role of the center’s flexible hours for patients receiving chemotherapy, antibiotics, and other time‑sensitive care.