New meal and rest break flexibility in 2026
By Gloria Brigham, EdD, MN, RN, Director of Nursing Practice
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, the law gives hospitals and employees more meal/rest break flexibility while still protecting workers’ rights.
Hospital Staffing Plan posting requirements: Is your patient care unit compliant?
Patient care units have new requirements to promote transparency, including posting staffing schedule for current shift.
By Gloria Brigham, EdD, MN, RN, Director of Nursing Practice
Truth or theater? One year of data on meal and rest break compliance
Hospitals report compliance with meal and rest breaks, but that doesn't match the experience of frontline workers. Is this true compliance – or an illusion?
By Gloria Brigham, EdD, MN, RN, Director of Nursing Practice
Survey: What is your reality with meal and rest breaks?
The first meal and rest break compliance reports are in and it shows everything is going according to law.
MultiCare Good Samaritan nurses need a break — literally
For many nurses at MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital, the hospital cannot be trusted to follow its stated core values of respect, integrity, stewardship, excellence, collaboration, kindness, and joy.
By Bobbi Nodell, Marketing and Communications Manager
How are hospitals complying with the meal and rest break law?
The law now requires employers to submit a quarterly report to the Department of Labor and Industries on compliance.
By Gloria Brigham, EdD, MN, RN, Director of Nursing Practice
Press release
Safeguarding public health: nursing associations advocate for evidence-based leadership at HHS
We express deep concerns regarding nominations that have recently been announced by the incoming administration, and we share the need to take a clear stand at this moment to clarify our profession’s priorities.
Health equity education requirements for nurses in Washington state
Health equity acknowledges that individuals have different needs and face diverse barriers to health.
Pearls for Practice: Highlights of 2024 meal and rest break law
Beginning July 1, employers are required to provide employees with a method to accurately record when an employee misses a meal or rest period.
Avoiding preventable harm
Nurses play a crucial role in preventing medication errors as a final check to determine whether a medication is correctly prescribed and dispensed before administration.
By Cheri Osler, Ed.D, MS-CNS, AHN-BC, LMHC, RN, CNE and Gloria Brigham, EdD, MN, RN, Director of Nursing Practice and Megan Kilpatrick, MSN, RN, Education Director
Multistate License Upgrade FAQs
Washington state active status registered nurses and licensed practical nurses whose primary state of residence is Washington can now apply to upgrade to a multistate license.
Washington multistate license application opens Jan. 31, 2024
Nurses whose primary state of residence is Washington will be able to apply for a multistate license.
How nurses in Washington state got a bill to help with PTSD claims
Nurses who have been out of work or working reduced hours because of PTSD may now get the help they need.
By Bobbi Nodell, Marketing and Communications Manager
Update: Implementation of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)
The Washington State Board of Nursing is implementing the NLC in two phases.
Chain of command: What nurses need to know
Take the time to locate and review your organization’s chain-of-command policy so you are prepared when faced with a challenging patient safety concern.
By Phyllis Smith, Quality and Safety Program Manager
Press release / Statement
Joint statement on the conviction of RaDonda Vaught
Focusing on blame and punishment solves nothing. It can only discourage reporting and drive errors underground. It not only undermines patient safety; it fosters an environment of fear and lack of respect for health care workers.
NCQAC: Notice to graduates of nursing education programs
Washington State Nursing Commission determines that graduates of five Florida schools do not meet minimum requirements for licensure in the state of Washington.
License expiration extension ending, renew by Sept. 30 to avoid late fee
To allow healthcare professionals the ability to focus on patient care during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Washngton Secretary of Health extended expiration dates for licenses due for renewal between April 1 and Sept. 30. All late fees were waived during this period.
WSNA statement on Nurse Licensure Compact
WSNA recognizes the need to provide nursing care across state lines; however, we have a number of concerns about the Nurse Licensure Compact as currently written.
Nurses required to enroll in Nursys
Beginning January 1, 2018, the Nursing Commission is requiring all nurses enroll with Nursys at the time of application for a new nursing license or licensure renewal.