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Safe nurse staffing

Ensuring safe nurse staffing is a top priority for WSNA.

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Introduction

Ensuring safe nurse staffing is a top priority for WSNA.

We know, and research confirms, that inadequate nurse staffing leads to medical errors, poorer patient outcomes, nurse burnout and injuries to nurses. Our approach to improving nurse staffing is multifaceted, encompassing legislation and policy, staffing committee tools, education and the latest research.

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Legislation and policy

2023 staffing law

In 2023, WSNA worked closely with our partners in the WA Safe + Healthy Coalition to help pass a more effective safe staffing bill, SB 5236.

Committee resources

Responses to commonly asked questions on the 2023 staffing law

Responses to commonly asked questions on the 2023 staffing law

September 21, 2023

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News

WSNA position on staffing

WSNA position on staffing

WSNA supports full implementation and enforcement of Washington’s hospital staffing laws and adherence to approved staffing plan requirements for the entirety of each shift.

Nurses afraid overcrowding, understaffing at Mary Bridge NICU could lead to missed care

MultiCare can and must do more to improve staffing levels immediately

Small, rural hospitals must start reporting meal, rest break compliance July 1

Small, rural hospitals must start reporting meal, rest break compliance July 1

Civil penalties begin for large hospitals whose compliance rates fall below 80%.

Staffing plan noncompliance? How to file an effective staffing complaint

Staffing plan noncompliance? How to file an effective staffing complaint

This article explains the complaint process and essential complaint details in accordance with the staffing law.

New meal and rest break flexibility in 2026

New meal and rest break flexibility in 2026

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, the law gives hospitals and employees more meal/rest break flexibility while still protecting workers’ rights.

Hospital Staffing Plan posting requirements: Is your patient care unit compliant?

Hospital Staffing Plan posting requirements: Is your patient care unit compliant?

Patient care units have new requirements to promote transparency, including posting staffing schedule for current shift.

New safe staffing law requirements started July 1

New safe staffing law requirements started July 1

Remember those staffing plans certain hospitals were required to submit in January? Those hospitals are now required to follow those plans.

St. Joseph Medical Center nurses seek better staffing, safety

St. Joseph Medical Center nurses seek better staffing, safety

After 10 bargaining sessions, nurses held informational picket Nov. 1.

More topic news

Questions about this page?

Contact us

Gloria Brigham, EdD, MN, RN

Director of Nursing Practice