Washington Legislature looks to tackle growing nursing workforce shortages this year

Of the 1,200 health care workers from Service Employees International Union Healthcare 1199NW, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union 3000 and the Washington State Nurses Association that were surveyed, 45% said they felt unsafe in their job, according to the report.

Working conditions, burnout, low pay, lack of benefits, such as required overtime and meal breaks, are all leading to more nurses leaving the field, Rep. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane, said. The Legislature needs to address their conditions as well as access to training and education.

“We can’t have healthy communities and thrive if we don’t have an adequate workforce,” he said. “It’s very alarming we don’t have the workforce needed to make sure we have a healthy Washington.”