Presented by the WSNA Cabinet on Economic and General Welfare

The WSNA Cabinet on Economic and General Welfare is proud to announce the annual Local Unit Awards to be presented during the 2008 Leadership Conference on September 29, 2008 in Lake Chelan.

This is your chance to nominate someone that you feel has done an outstanding job as a local unit leader. This can be someone who is, or has been, a local unit leader who you feel deserves some recognition. So please submit your nominations before the July 25, 2008 deadline.

To nominate the person, or persons of your choice, please complete the nomination form after reviewing the criteria for each award. More information on you nominee is best! Please add additional pages if necessary!

The Categories for the Awards are: Outstanding Local Unit Chair, Adversity Award, Local Unit Star, Outstanding Negotiation Team, Membership Award, and Outstanding Grievance Officer.

To nominate someone for one of these awards, download this form and return it to WSNA by July 25, 2008!

Short Staffing  =  No Breaks  =  Unsafe Patient Care

The issue of meal and rest breaks has plagued nurse for many years. It has never been about nurses not wanting to take their breaks.  It is about real concerns related to staffing and the ability to provide SAFE Patient Care. It is about hospitals having enough STAFF to meet the requirements of the law to provide rest breaks.

Missed meal and rest breaks have a direct relationship to short staffing which can lead to unsafe patient care.  Missed meal and rest breaks are a direct result of the lack of commitment to provide adequate staffing. Missed meal and rest breaks force you to work exhausted and lead to increased medical and medication errors, thus putting both Your Patients - and YOU - in jeopardy. 

We don’t think it is unreasonable to expect to be able to stop and rest for 15 minutes every 4 hours …  do you?

As a Registered Nurse working in Washington:

Did You Know?

• You are entitled to an unpaid meal period of one-half (1/2) hour if you work five (5) or more hours.
• You are entitled to one (1) fifteen minute break halfway through every four (4) hours of work.
• You are entitled to compensation if you are required to remain on duty or in your unit during your meal period.
• You are entitled to compensation for your missed rest breaks.
• Short staffing results in you not getting your breaks and in unsafe patient care.

WSNA Is Fighting For You!

• Filed grievances at numerous facilities on missed breaks, Settlement reached at Virginia Mason Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham.
• Won Arbitration decisions on missed breaks at Sacred Heart Medical Center, Yakima Regional Medical & Heart Center.
• Pursuing the Department of Labor & Industries to change State Regulations on missed Breaks for Nurses.

What You Can Do!

• Follow your contract, if you miss your meal/break period, document on your time card and keep your own personal record of missed breaks.
• Complete an ADO form and distribute to your manager with a copy to your local unit chair and your WSNA Nurse Representative
• To file a complaint with the L & I, notify your Nurse Representative at WSNA for the paperwork and instructions.

• ANA's "The Importance of Belonging" (PDF; 817KB)
  
  

Become a Member

Want to have a voice in your local unit?  Want to be able to vote on your contract?  Join WSNA today!  Simply download and complete the WSNA Membership Application form, and return it to us by fax or mail.

Have you moved? Changed your name? Changed your FTE? Gone on LOA?

Don't forget to notify WSNA to ensure that your membership information is correct and that you are paying the right amount of dues. Your employer may not inform WSNA of these changes in a timely fashion… It’s up to you!

It's simple. Just complete the Change of Information form and return it to us by fax or mail.

Help us keep your records accurate by letting us know right away when there are changes.