Gov. Walker to add 25 nurses at King veterans home

MADISON (AP) -- Gov. Scott Walker says he will provide money in his budget to hire 25 new full-time registered nurses at the King veterans home.

Unions representing workers at King have complained about staffing shortages and being overworked. Union leaders have warned about the potential for overworked employees to make tragic errors affecting the veterans.

Walker said Thursday that the additional positions will ensure there is a registered nurse on the unit at all times and improve the ratio of patients to nursing staff.

In addition to 25 new nurses, Walker says he will also include funding for 58 certified nurse assistant positions.

Walker says the additional staff was requested by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs in its agency budget request for the next two years.