Press Release

Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), representing more than 350 nurses in the Seattle King County Public Health District including approximately 80 registered nurses (RN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) in King County jails, expressed serious concerns about the health care provided to inmates in jails due to a significant shortage of nursing staff.

“Because of the shortage of nursing staff, we are often limited in our ability to respond to the basic health care needs of the inmates who are our patients.  This can result in adverse medical outcomes and compromise the care that our patients receive," said Bill Johnston, RN, WSNA Local Unit Chairperson.

The County has recently laid off several LPNs while spending over 3.5 million dollars on agency nursing staff (contracted temporary workers) in the past three years. The use of agency nurses is not only costly but is detrimental to patient care.  The lack of experience of agency nurses working in the jail setting interrupts the continuity of patient care.  It also draws precious time away from patient care when the core nursing staff has to train the agency staff.

“It is simply bewildering that the County would rather spend over a million dollars each year on agency staff while refusing to invest in core nursing staff to adequately meet the demand of the inmates’ health care needs.  Public health and jail nurses are dedicated professionals committed to caring for some of our most vulnerable populations,” said Barbara Frye, RN, WSNA Director of Labor Relations. 

WSNA is currently in contract negotiations with the County for a new union contract.  Critical issues to be addressed in these negotiations include:

• Adequate RN staff for safe patient care - nursing input in the development of staffing plans on each unit based on considerations such as patient acuity, patient activity, and RN experience. 
• Competitive wages – wage increases that are adequate in order to recruit and retain qualified nurses during the nursing shortage.

Make sure that public health nurses working with vulnerable families and individuals have adequate time to address their clients' health-care needs.