Washington State Nurses Association -Local Units

Pullman Regional Hospital

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Contract

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Rules

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Contacts

Local Unit Officers

Chair:
Eileen Taylor

Vice-Chair:
Rachel C. Silva-Bischoff, RN

Secretary / Treasurer:
Kai Johnson, RN

Grievance Officer:
Linda Rauch, RN

WSNA Nurse Representative

Debra Bessmer, BSN, RN
206-575-7979, Ext. 3112

News

April 23, 2009

Did you know that the grievance officer position is open? Look for nomination ballots soon.

April 23, 2009

Missed Rest Breaks - We want to hear from you:

Have you missed 1 or both of your 15 minute rest breaks?
Is there somewhere you can put in for missing them?
Have you been compensated for missing one or both 15 minute breaks?

Please contact :
Michelle Huskinson RN
WSNA Nurse Representative
1-800-231-8482, ext. 3118
mhuskinson@wsna.org

January 20, 2009

Private Health Information

WSNA recently raised a concern with the hospital that inappropriate private medical information was collected when nurses turned in their evaluations. After several meetings, WSNA has come to an understanding with the hospital that nurses may request the employee health questionnaire and assessment be returned.
We encourage all of you to request your private health information be returned to you by contacting Connie Koal.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:
Michelle Huskinson RN
WSNA Nurse Representative
1-800-231-8482, ext. 3118
mhuskinson@wsna.org

Document Library

Newsletters

Mar 2007 (162KB)
Feb 2006 (80KB)

Please note: All items in the document library are in PDF format unless otherwise noted.

Current Issue

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.

Membership

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.

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