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Update on public health restructure legislation

Both the Washington State Senate and House of Representatives released their budget proposals in late March – and both provided significant new funding for Foundational Public Health Services.WSNA and the Washington State Medical Association issued a joint statement to budget leadership on March 28.

April 2, 2021

Climate change and nurses

I looked out my window and saw the burnt orange sun rise over the Cascades, but the mountain range was hidden by the smoke. Is this our new normal?

January 15, 2021

WSNA statement on immigrant sterilizations taking place at Georgia detention center under ICE

Like so many others, we are horrified by recent claims of immigrant sterilizations taking place at a Georgia detention center under the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

September 15, 2020

Racism is a public health emergency

A letter from Lynnette Vehrs, MN, RN, WSNA President, and Julia Barcott, RN, Chair of the WSNA Cabinet on Economic and General Welfare.

June 5, 2020

WSNA statement calling for an end to systemic racism, racial violence and police brutality

WSNA stands in solidarity with all those who are calling for an end to systemic racism, racial violence and police brutality. We also are calling on our profession to look hard at the many ways racism manifests itself in our health care system and in patient care. We must do better.

May 31, 2020

Information on the Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave program

The Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave program became effective for Washington employees as of the beginning of this year. This state run program is designed to provide paid leave for employees for instances such as the illness or injury of an employee or employee’s family member or parental bonding time with a new child.

February 29, 2020

WSNA statement on Governor's Executive Order on vaping

Vaping products present a serious public health risk, and we commend the Governor for taking immediate action and a multi-pronged approach.

September 27, 2019

Some medicines and driving don’t mix

The Department of Health and the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission are working with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission to help spread the word about impaired driving from prescription and nonprescription drugs.

August 21, 2019

2018 Washington Free and Charitable Care Conference

The Washington Healthcare Access Alliance is hosting their 13th annual Washington Free and Charitable Care Conference​ this fall from Sept. 12-14 in Spokane, Washington.

July 18, 2018

Bringing subspecialists to rural patients via telehealth

Easy access to sub-specialized health care is not always available to rural communities with unable to employ sub-specialists and offer all the specialties.

July 3, 2018

Nurse “telepresenters” provide efficient care with a human touch

With insurance challenges, soaring health care costs and belt tightening, health care is finding ways to save while providing the same high-level of care.

June 29, 2018

Why are nurses suing the EPA?

For over a decade, nurses have been working with a wide range of partners, including other health professionals, environmentalists and health-affected groups, to update the nation’s chemical safety policy.

February 2, 2018

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.

January 10, 2018

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.

November 1, 2017

Opioid OD mortality could reach 250 a day if trends continue, analysis finds

Close to 100 Americans are killed by opioids each day, a figure that could rise to 250 - or more than 650,000 over the next decade - if potent synthetic compounds such as fentanyl and carfentanil continue to proliferate while waiting time for treatment lengthens in the hardest-hit areas. Experts predict mortality will not stabilize…

June 29, 2017

Public Health – Seattle & King County Director Patty Hayes selected for The Kresge Foundation’s Emerging Leaders in Public Health Initiative

Patty Hayes, MN, RN, a member of WSNA’s Nursing Hall of Fame and Director of Public Health – Seattle & King County, is among thosechosen to be part of The Kresge Foundation’s Emerging Leaders in Public Health Initiative. Hayes and Carina Elsenboss, the department’s Preparedness Director, will be working to transform public…

May 16, 2017

2017 Northwest Public Health Leadership Institute accepting applications

Applications are open for the Northwest Public Health Leadership Institute, a nine-month program offered through the University of Washington School of Public Health designed to build collaborative leadership skills for professionals committed to improving health equity.

March 8, 2017

Public Health is Essential

WSNA is playing a leadership role in a new campaign, Public Health is Essential, designed to educate lawmakers and the public on the critical role public health plays.

February 9, 2017

Snohomish public health nurses fight to save services

While King County is looking to expand services for pregnant women, young children and teens, the Snohomish Health District shut the doors for the last time on the Immunization Clinic on June 30. The county’s First Steps program, which provides maternity support services, is also slated for elimination.

October 30, 2015