Spokane Regional Health District

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Mark Your Calendar!

WSNA's Campaign for Patient Safety

Learn About WSNA's Campaign for Patient Safety!

Free WSNA Dinner on Tuesday, February 7th

Concerned about safe staffing? Tired of worrying about your patients?
Tired of missing meal and rest breaks? Just plain tired?
Tired of seeing inappropriate use of on-call for core staffing?
Want to be part of fixing these things?

Please join your nursing colleagues for a special event on Tuesday, February 7th in Spokane. We will share a meal together (at no cost to you), spend some time to renew old friendships and make new friends; and then down to business as we launch the WSNA Campaign for Patient Safety.

Learn the details of WSNA’s legislative proposals on safe RN staffing, uninterrupted meal/rest breaks, and limiting mandatory overtime. You will have ample time to ask questions and learn how easy it is for you to be a part of the campaign.

Hope to see you at:

Anthony's at Spokane Falls
510 North Lincoln Street

5:30pm Networking
6:00pm Greetings and Introductions
6:30pm Dinner

Please RSVP to Irene at 206-575-7979 Ext 0 or email imueller@wsna.org

News

Negotiation Update (11/11/2011)

Your Negotiating team and Management have made progress! We have a tentative agreement for the majority of the contract, but there are still significant issues on the table, including benefits. Your negotiating team continues to work hard for you, on your behalf!

Please stay tuned for the next update to follow, after our next negotiation session.

Negotiations Update (9/1/2011)

Your contract negotiations are underway!
The outlook is good, and we are making progress and having effective discussions!
Economic items are not yet on the table.
Stay tuned…

Spokane Unity Dinner (5/10/2011)

Attention Spokane area nurses! Over 200 nurses signed up to attend the WSNA Spokane area nurses Unity Dinner. Attached is a news bulletin (PDF; 1.75 MB) with pictures and descriptions of the fun filled and energetic event. See if you recognize any of your fellow nurses enjoying a lovely evening of solidarity and unity together.

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.

Important Note:
If you find yourself in a situation that you believe creates unsafe conditions for patients or for you, complete the Assignment Despite Objection (ADO) Form as soon as possible.