Press release / Statement
Statement from safe staffing coalition on HB 1868
Today the WA Safe + Healthy coalition released a joint statement on the state Senate failing to pass safe staffing standards for healthcare workers.
WSNA in Olympia – Legislative Session Week 8
Yesterday, the Legislature reached the final cutoff for policy bills. All bills that did not make it past this deadline and are not necessary to implement the budget are no longer viable. Unfortunately, WSNA's number one priority, safe staffing legislation, didn't make it past this week's deadlines.
The Senate failed us, but we’re not done
The Senate Ways and Means Committee did not pass our safe staffing bill out of committee by the deadline, meaning HB 1868 is very unlikely to pass this legislative cycle. We are deeply disappointed, but this is a delay, not defeat.
Anne Tan Piazza to take on new role as Executive Director of Oregon Nurses Association
Senior leader accepts new position after nearly 25 years at the Washington State Nurses Association.
WSNA in Olympia – Legislative Session Week 7
Both legislative budgets were released this week on Monday. We were excited to see funding for WSNA priorities, including school nurse funding, sexual assault nurse examiner training and workforce development. The Legislature also reached the second policy cutoff of the year on Thursday.
WSNA in Olympia – Legislative Session Week 6
On Monday, the Legislature reached the house of origin cutoff. Most of our priority bills made is past this crucial deadline. Because most of our bills started in the House, we will now be working on moving those bills through the Senate.
Nursing commission seeks members
The Office of the Governor is recruiting to fill vacancies on Washington state's Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.
WSNA in Olympia – Legislative Session Week 5
On Monday, the Legislature reached fiscal cut off for the house of origin. The rest of the week was spent on the Legislature caucusing and voting bills off the House and Senate floors. We are expecting the safe staffing bill to be voted on by the house any day now.
David Keepnews, WSNA executive director, featured on RN Mentor podcast
Listen to David discuss his path to WSNA and current issues in nursing like safe staffing in this hourlong conversation.
Hospital staffing crisis caused by working conditions, not lack of qualified nurses
A review of recent national and Washington State nurse staffing data and survey results indicates that there are enough nurses to safely staff hospitals, but that the quality of jobs is leading many qualified registered nurses to leave their Washington hospital jobs.
WSNA in Olympia – Legislative Session Week 4
The Legislature reached major milestone this week. Thursday was the cutoff for policy bills in their house of origin. This means that no new bills will be introduced this session unless they are necessary to implement the budget.
Announcing the 2022 inductees into the Washington State Nurses Hall of Fame
On March 17, WSNA will add a new class of leaders to the Washington State Nurses Hall of Fame — our highest honor.
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.
WSNA in Olympia – Legislative Session Week 3
This week the House Labor Committee took executive action on the safe staffing bill, HB 1868. The Senate Labor Committee heard testimony from two WSNA nurses on a bill that would provide COVID-19 hazard pay to hospital-based health care workers. The first cutoff of session is next week on Feb. 3.
WSNA in Olympia – Legislative Session Week 2
This week the House Labor Committee heard the safe staffing bill, HB 1868. Check out the WSNA members who testified in support of the bill.
'We can't keep doing this'
WSNA nurses share firsthand accounts of understaffing from the front lines.
Taking on the nurse staffing crisis
The public is becoming increasingly aware of a problem nurses have known about for a long time: the nurse staffing crisis that is dangerously depleting our hospitals. The COVID-19 pandemic has both highlighted and accentuated this crisis.
Standing together for real staffing solutions
WSNA and the other two primary health care unions in Washington state call for a sustainable, accountable commitment to safe staffing in every department of every hospital in the state.
Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic through partnering within community
Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization was established in 1949 to provide community services and education to student nurses.
Meet David Keepnews
David Keepnews has a long track record and distinguished career as a nurse, labor proponent, professor, policy specialist and advocate for our practice. He joins WSNA at a critical time for our members, our union and our profession. David is already bringing his experience, skills and passion to the job.
WSNA in Olympia – Legislative Session Week 1
This was a busy week of hearings on policy bills and WSNA was well represented with several members providing testimony on key bills. As a reminder, all hearings and meetings with legislators are taking place over Zoom and are being aired on TVW.
Press release / Statement
Symptomatic health care workers must not be forced to work
We call on employers to clarify their policies, and we call on the state to ensure workers cannot be forced to return while sick, or disciplined for refusing to work while symptomatic with COVID.
In memoriam: Martha Galvez
Martha Alicia Cortés Galvez passed away peacefully at home the morning of Jan. 8, 2022, just in time to see her final sunrise, her favorite time of day. A loving mother, wife and friend, she left behind a legacy of compassion and strength.
Support each other, learn from each other, build each other up
"I became a nurse in 1994 — I feel very fortunate to have had such a rewarding career as a nurse and union member for the last 27 years. I feel nursing is a calling and vocation and not just a job."
