More ways to help Louisiana flood victims
The Louisiana Nurses Association and AFT both have opened relief funds to help those affected by the flooding in Louisiana.
Nurses needed to help victims of Louisiana flooding
The American Red Cross Disaster Health Services needs nurses and other health professionals as it helps victims of the flooding in Louisiana. The Red Cross needs to hear as soon as possible from those who can help.
Seattle/King County Free Clinic needs more nurse volunteers
This year, the event goal is to provide free dental, vision and medical care to 4,000 people in need from our community year — more nurses are needed!
NIH launches Zika vaccine trial
The NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has introduced an early-stage clinical trial of an experimental Zika virus vaccine that will involve 80 healthy volunteers, ages 18 to 35, at three US locations.
Nurses’ Health Study Participants Needed
One of the longest running studies of health is expanding, and needs your help! The Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital are excited to announce that the Nurses' Health Study, for the first time, is now accepting both male and female participants!
CDC: Zika infections surge in Puerto Rico
The actual number of cases of Zika virus infection in Puerto Rico is likely significantly higher than the 5,500 cases that have been confirmed in people, including 672 pregnant women. Up to 10,000 pregnancies in Puerto Rico could be affected by the virus and one-fourth of the island's population could be exposed to the virus this year, according to the agency.
UPDATE Closure of Seattle Pain Centers | Treating patients and reminder on pain management rules
The Washington State Department of Health, Washington State Medical Commission, and Washington State Health Care Authority released the following guidance and urged practitioners to accept and treat patients associated with Seattle Pain Center.
Four Washington nurse leaders among the American Academy of Nursing 2016 class of new fellows
The American Academy of Nursing will honor 164 highly distinguished nurse leaders as its 2016 class of Academy fellows at their annual policy conference October 20-22, including four Washington State Nurses Association members.
Why WSNA is opposed to the proposed NCSBN Enhanced Nurse License Compacts
After careful review, WSNA and ANA continue to have numerous concerns and remain strongly opposed at this time to adoption of the proposed enhanced Nursing Licensure Compacts in their current form.
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends full-time nurse in every school
In the June 2016 issue of “Pediatrics,” the American Academy of Pediatrics published a policy statement calling for a minimum of one full-time registered nurse in every school.
Speak up in support of APRNs at the VA!
Support the VA's proposed rule to allow APRNs to work at their full scope of practice by joining ANA’s social media "Thunderclap" on July 20. We want to raise awareness of the issue and garner supportive comments before the VA APRN proposed rule open comment period ends on July 25.
Washington Center for Nursing Releases State Data Snapshots
The Washington Center for Nursing released the 2016 Washington State Data Snapshot report for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and advanced registered nurse practitioners in July.
Nurse Staffing - A Step Forward
WSNA is pleased to announce that the Health Care Authority, through its State Innovation Plan, has broadened their “Starter Set” of Performance Measures to now include three Nursing Sensitive Measures in their Medicaid Quality Incentive program. Achievement of measure benchmark goals is tied to the incentive payments to hospitals through the safety net assessment program.
CDC requests help in reporting Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) cases
As part of an ongoing multistate investigation, CDC is attempting to identify hospitals that have detected clusters of Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) cases among pediatric or adult ICU patients, particularly since January 2016.
Volunteer for the 2016 Seattle/King County Clinic
It takes about 1,000 volunteers per clinic day to operate the Seattle/King County Clinic, which returns to the KeyArena at Seattle Center October 27 – 30. Volunteer registration is now open, and we hope you’ll consider signing up!
CDC Alert: Healthcare-associated Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) infections
CDC is alerting healthcare officials, particularly pediatric care clinicians that the Agency is working with FDA and health departments to investigate clusters of healthcare-associated Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) infections.
Free app available for Washington smokers who want to quit
Here’s some info you may want to share with your patients: The Washington Department of Health offers the SmartQuit app for free to Washington smokers who want to quit.
Safe Nurse Ratios Rally today, May 12th, in DC; ANA calls for National Day of Advocacy
ANA continues to share their ongoing work on safe staffing, as well as encouraging all advocacy efforts. ANA declared May 12th a National Day of Advocacy and created a webpage highlighting all the things nurses can do to advocate for safe staffing.
Celebrate National Nurses Week
WSNA salutes our members for their professionalism, dedication and heart.
Culture of safety: Our members tell us we're not even close
We still have a long way to go in establishing a culture of safety in our hospitals and other medical facilities.
Still seeking a culture of safety
In 2011, WSNA surveyed our members in an effort to better understand what nurses in Washington were facing in their workplaces. Five years later, we reran the survey and found that few things have improved and some have gotten worse.
National PrepareAthon! Day is coming April 30
America’s PrepareAthon! urges everyone to participate in activities to prepare for a wide array of hazards. The organization offers free guides, checklists and resources to help individuals, organizations and communities practice the simple, specific actions they can take for emergencies relevant to their area.
New mandatory continuing education on suicide prevention
By June 30, 2016, the state Department of Health must establish minimum standards for the newly required 6-hour Suicide Assessment, Treatment and Management continuing education training. Here’s what you need to know about what’s required and when.
New GAO report on workplace violence against healthcare workers released
In the last year, report finds that 30% of workers in hospitals reported being physically assaulted; 70% of workers in psychiatric settings also experienced violence.