Candidates for 2017 WSNA elections
These WSNA members have consented to run for WSNA elected offices during the 2017-2019 biennium.
Vote ANA Leaders to Modern Healthcare's "100 Most Influential" List
For the third consecutive year, ANA President Pamela F. Cipriano, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN and ANA Enterprise CEO Marla J. Weston, PhD, RN, FAAN, have both made the ballot for Modern Healthcare’s “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare” ranking! We encourage you to vote for them!
Nominate a nursing hero for the 2018 Washington State Nurse Hall of Fame
The Washington State Nurse Hall of Fame recognizes and honors the achievements of Washington state RNs who have made significant lifetime accomplishments in the nursing profession. Nominations for the 2018 Hall of Fame are open until Nov. 18, 2017.
Meet a “do-it-all” nurse, with a special passion for social justice
The Public Health Insider blog, produced by Public Health - Seattle & King County, featured WSNA member Tina Maestas for National Public Health Week (April 3-7th). Tina is a Public Health Nurse based in Renton, one of seven Seattle & King County Public Health Nurses whose offices are located inside a “CSO” – a state office where people can apply for assistance with cash, food, child support, disability and other services.
Tacoma General RNs win ratios in contract for first time in Washington
After more than a year of grueling negotiations, the WSNA nurses at MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital won a groundbreaking contract that for the first time in Washington state includes specific nurse-to-patient ratios.
By Ruth Schubert, APR, Director of Marketing and Communications
WSNA member Justin Gill, Nurse Rep Travis Elmore join ANA PAC Board
Last fall, WSNA member Justin Gill, MS, ARNP, NP-C and WSNA Nurse Representative Travis Elmore, BSN, RN-BC, were appointed by the American Nurses Association Board of Directors to the ANA-PAC Board of Trustees.
Sally Watkins named new Executive Director of Washington State Nurses Association
The Washington State Nurses Association Board of Directors announced today that they have selected Washington state nursing leader Sally Watkins, Ph.D., MS, RN, to be the new WSNA Executive Director, replacing Judy Huntington, MN, RN, who is retiring in June after 18 years in the position. Dr. Watkins will join WSNA April 3, 2017.
Happy Holidays! WSNA office closed Dec. 26 - Jan 2
Wishing you the happiest of holidays and a wonderful new year! WSNA's offices will be closed December 26 through January 2, 2017.
MEDIA RELEASE: Nurse rest and meal break lawsuit settlement at St. Joe’s in Tacoma includes $5 million in back pay
Under the terms of the settlement, St. Joseph will pay nurses $5 million in back pay for missed meal and rest breaks. St. Joseph also will establish a “block break relief” system to ensure that nurses are afforded uninterrupted rest periods, and the hospital committed to hiring an additional 26 break relief nurses to safely care for patients while other nurses take their rest and meal breaks.
Now accepting nominations for 2017 WSNA & PNHCC Awards
The WSNA Awards Committee and the Professional Nursing and Health Care Council are seeking outstanding WSNA members as nominees for the 2017 WSNA Recognition Awards. Nominations must be received at WSNA no later than Jan. 16, 2017.
MEDIA RELEASE: Tacoma General RNs to hold strike vote December 16
After making little progress in mediation Tuesday, the WSNA-represented Registered Nurses at Tacoma General Hospital are planning a strike advisory vote for December 16, two days after the next scheduled mediation session.
MEDIA RELEASE: With Tacoma General failing to address dangerous, chronic understaffing, RNs head back to bargaining table Nov. 15
TACOMA--(Nov. 14, 2016) The WSNA-represented nurses at Tacoma General Hospital head back into mediation tomorrow demanding that the hospital address the severe, chronic staffing concerns that imperil patient safety at the hospital. Management’s deceptive “bargaining summary” prompts new Unfair Labor Practice charge. “No Voluntary Overtime, No Voluntary Extra Shifts” job action, which started Nov. 10, is having an impact, with nurses reporting receiving hundreds of text messages over the weekend begging them to come in.
MEDIA RELEASE: Tacoma General nurses say “NO” to voluntary overtime, extra shifts Nov. 10-17
TACOMA – (Nov. 7, 2016) After 11 months at the bargaining table, the registered nurses at MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital will not take voluntary overtime or extra shifts Nov. 10-17. This concerted union action is in response to MultiCare’s ongoing illegal actions against the nurses, as well as its refusal to address staffing issues and break coverage in a way that supports the safe care of patients at the hospital.
TG NURSES: You have union rights and protections.
A Tacoma General physician filed an unfair labor practice charge against MultiCare and WON! That's why you're seeing these official Notices around the hospital promising not to interfere with YOUR RIGHTS under the National Labor Relations Act.
WSNA seeks Executive Director
The Washington State Nurses Association is seeking an Executive Director.
EvergreenHealth Nurse Jeruschia Horton Earns May 2016 LifeSaver Award from LifeCenter Northwest
Jeruschia Horton, a charge nurse in the critical care unit at EvergreenHealth, was given the LifeSaver Award for the month of May by LifeCenter Northwest.
PRESS RELEASE: UW Medical Center Nurses Vote In Fair Share Language for Their Union
SEATTLE – (July 8, 2016) The registered nurses at the University of Washington Medical Center voted by a significant majority to add Fair Share Membership language to the collective bargaining agreement that covers the 1,600 registered nurses who work there.
In Memoriam: Dorothy Jane (Dottie) Hicks, MN, RN
Among her accomplishments, Dottie Hicks, MN, RN was a faculty member at the University of Washington School of Nursing and Director of Nursing Continuing Education. She also served as the Treasurer of WSNA.
WSNA Executive Director Judy Huntington receives Distinguished Membership Award from ANA
The Distinguished Membership Award, established in 1967, recognizes outstanding leadership and contributions to the mission of ANA.
In Memoriam: Ethel May Carpenter, RN
Ethel Carpenter, a longtime and active member of the Washington State Nurses Association, passed away in Bellingham on May 2 at the age of 91.
Interview: Patty Hayes
An important aspect of our Nurses Speak initiative is highlighting the careers of individuals who began as staff nurses and then turned their attention to become leaders in the fields of public policy, hospital administration, the law and the legislature. This is the second in our series.
MultiCare fighting groundbreaking rest break arbitration
In January, 2016, an arbitrator ordered MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital to cease using the “break buddy system.” MultiCare responded by filing a lawsuit in federal court to get the “final and binding” decision overturned, and has put proposals on the negotiating table to invalidate everything WSNA fought for - and won - in court.
U.S. Supreme Court defends workers’ rights
On March 29, the U.S. Supreme Court, down to eight justices after the death of Antonin Scalia, split 4-4 on the Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association case. The split decision affirms a lower-court ruling that allows public-employee unions to continue collecting “fair share membership” dues for those it represents who decline to join the union.
In Memoriam: Anna Mae Ericksen, RN
A 2010 inductee into WSNA's Nursing Hall of Fame, Anna Mae Ericksen started the "Mr. Yuk" program in Washington state for poisoning prevention.
