American Academy of Nursing releases position statement on nurse fatigue
Academy recommends policies and practices that promote adequate, high quality sleep for nurses to contribute to safe nursing practice and patient care.
DOH: Across Washington, flu taking a toll on people and medical facilities
State health officials issue recommendations for when and where to get medical care.
DOH adds third option to birth certificate
The Department of Health has announced that beginning Jan. 27, people will be allowed to change their sex designation on Washington birth certificates to “X,” adding a third option to birth certificates.
HCA to implement opioid clinical policy for Uniform Medical Plan on Jan. 2
As part of Washington State’s strategy to combat this crisis, starting Jan. 2, 2018, the Health Care Authority (HCA) will implement an opioid clinical policy for Uniform Medical Plan (UMP).
Year of the Healthy Nurse – December 2017
As the Year of the Healthy Nurse comes to a close this December, it doesn't mean that the effort has to stop! This month, we are celebrating healthy eating and healthy holidays.
Opioids patient fact sheet available in 22 languages
The Washington Health Alliance and Bree Collaborative teamed up to produce two info sheets on Opioids, one for providers, the other directed at patients. Public Health – Seattle & King County translated the patient sheet into 21 additional languages.
WSNA Hall of Famer Muriel Grace Softli recognized by UW School of Nursing
Decorated military veteran and WSNA Hall of Famer Muriel Grace Softli, MPA, MEd, BSN, RN received UW School of Nursing's Community Health Nurse Track Preceptor of the Year Award.
Being part of the solution: Preventing opioid overdose deaths in Washington
Nurses have a role to play in reducing opioid deaths in Washington. Here are some things you can do.
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.
Coming together: nurses partnering with the community
Outside the clinical setting, nurses can positively impact a community and populations in that community by providing excellent care in unique ways.
New requirements for authorizing medical marijuana
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses may provide a qualifying patient or that patient’s designated provider with an authorization for the medical use of marijuana
Preventing opioid abuse: the role of the nurse
Opioids have become a leading cause of unintentional death in Washington. Nurses can play an important role in reducing these deaths.
International Survivor Day and the need for psychiatric nurses
International Survivor Day, November 18, brings together people affected by suicide loss. It also serves as a reminder that more psychiatric nurses are needed.
St. Clare emergency department responds to the opioid crisis
Many of us have experienced firsthand with opioid use disorder. It is often misunderstood as a social or moral issue, instead of as a chronic illness.
Health Care Authority limits quantity of opioids
In the spirit of preventing misuse and addiction to opioids and taking control of the opioid crisis, Washington state's Medicaid health plan, Apple Health, has set limits in the quantity of opioids that may be prescribed.
November focus: your mental health and wellness
You are critical to the nation’s health care system, but research has shown the health of a registered nurse is worse than that of the average American.
Operation Agua
AFT launched this operation to provide purifiers to the people in Puerto Rico whose island has been devastated by Hurricane Maria and left without safe water.
Welcome WSNA’s new Director of Nursing Practice & Health Policy
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Joelle Fathi, DNP, RN, ARNP, to the position of Director of Nursing Practice and Health Policy for WSNA.
By Sally Watkins, PhD, RN, Executive Director
Washington state screenings of "Defining Hope" on Nov. 1
WSNA is pleased to announce screenings of the new documentary, "Defining Hope," on Nov. 1. Defining Hope follows eight patients with life-threatening illness and the nurses who guide them. The film is being released in select theaters nationwide for special screenings on Nov. 1 in honor of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month.
Join the 10 Days of Safety Challenge!
Today, Sept. 18, marks the beginning of the Health Nurse Healthy Nation 10 Days of Safety Challenge, in which nurses who sign up will receive daily actionable tips to keep them mindful of ways to prevent injury in the workplace and how to best incorporate SPHM standards into daily practice.
Help Nurses Deal with Disaster Relief
With more disasters such as Hurricane Irma affecting our communities this fall, the American Nurses Foundation has now created a broader ‘Disaster Relief’ fund. This fund will support nurses in their disaster response and recovery efforts in southeastern Texas, the Virgin Islands, Florida and other states affected by the recent disasters.
Updated POLST released
The Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form has been revised, based on months of discussion. The POLST is the medical order form that allows any individual with a serious illness or frailty to summarize their wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment.
ANA white paper on antiobiotic stewardship
The American Nurses Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have teamed up to inform registered nurses in the United States about the problem of antibiotic resistance and facilitate their expanded and clearly recognized role in hospital antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs) and activities. Just out: a new white paper on the topic.
WSNA statement on arrest of Utah nurse
The Washington State Nurses Association joins the American Nurses Association, the Utah Nurses Association and registered nurses across the country in expressing outrage over the treatment of a registered nurse in Utah who was handcuffed and arrested by a police officer for following her hospital’s policy and the law.