Newsletter October 2026
What’s in this newsletter:
- Committee Meetings
- Grievances
- Unit Steward Training
- Bargaining Unit Meeting
Committee Meetings:
September and October
Nurse Practice:
A few updates on technology and upcoming events:
- Calling instead of Teams Live is still waiting on contracts.
- Rover is expected to roll out house wide in early 2027.
- Adeline, a burnout monitoring tool in Epic, is expected to start in 2027. It uses acuity levels, patient data, and charting information to monitor workload.
- Remote Sense, the new telemetry monitoring system, is live. A tip sheet is coming soon.
- Nursing Town Hall has been pushed to February. Speakers to be invited include an AI expert, a Vital Chat representative (our virtual nursing partner), and an Adeline representative.
Conference Committee:
The Committee has been discussing the following items over the last two months.
- PTO use when picking up shift
- ED Tech positions
- Investigatory Meetings (IM)
- IP and Floating
- Mandatory Call tracking hours vs dates
- Charge Nurses and scheduled patient assignments
- Fitness credits
- Ability to hold two part-time positions and receive FT benefits
Vacation for Resident with holiday
Preceptor Pay
Mares and Central Campus nurses voluntarily pick up shifts
- PTO & Picking Up Shifts: WSNA raised concerns about nurses having to use approved PTO when they later agree to work. Management agreed to an MOU addressing this
- ED Techs: WSNA asked whether new ED Tech positions will change the staffing plan. ED Tech hours changes are intended to better align with patient flow. No change is staffing plan.
- Investigatory Meetings: WSNA proposed allowing nurses to voluntarily attend investigatory meetings on their days off. Confluence was not opposed and discussed trying the process on a trial basis.
- Fitness Credits: Will end January 1st. Leaderships cites economy issues.
- Preceptor Pay: Mares nurses finding discrepancy and only receiving $1.75. PLEASE REVIEW YOUR PAY IF YOU RECEIVE PRECEPTOR PAY.
WSNA continues working through these issues with Confluence and will keep nurses updated.
Hospital Staffing Committee:
ADOs for September and October 2026
There were 16 ADOs total: 4 in September and 12 in October (at the time of October’s HSC meeting).
The overall theme is inadequate staffing relative to patient volume, acuity, and workload.
This is especially concentrated in the Emergency Department, which accounts for 9 of the 16 ADOs. Across all 16, 11 identified an inadequate staffing plan, 8 identified patient/staff ratios that were too high, 6 identified higher-than-projected patient acuity, and 6 identified inadequate shift adjustments. Seven also identified situations in which charge nurses could not perform their charge duties.
The narratives reinforce that pattern: they describe shortages of RNs and support staff, charge nurses taking patient assignments, high-acuity or 1:1 patients competing for limited staff, rooms being closed because of staffing, and difficulty obtaining breaks. Safety concerns also appear, but primarily alongside these staffing/workload pressures.
We asked about a surge policy. There currently isn’t an official one.
We also reviewed an ADO involving a patient with homicidal ideation who injured staff. We asked whether staff are encouraged to file police reports after these incidents. Management’s answer was that the option is always provided.
Several other ADOs received brief discussion but couldn’t be resolved because management hadn’t responded. Those were marked “unresolved.” We reminded management of the staffing law’s 60-day resolution requirement and informed them that we would escalate to the Department of Health if the concerns weren’t adequately discussed and resolved within that timeframe.
We need more Hospital Staffing Committee representatives
Unfortunately, we’ve seen a consistent drop in bargaining unit attendance at Staffing Committee. This is arguably our most powerful union committee. Those of us who attend regularly do our best, but we can’t replace having someone from your unit there.
Lack of representation weakens our voice and could open the door for staffing plan changes, especially on units that aren’t represented.
We’re asking bargaining unit members to consider becoming a representative or alternate. The commitment is one meeting a month, on the third Monday from 1400 to about 1530–1600, depending on the agenda. Representatives also follow up with staff about ADOs from the units they represent. You get paid for time spent at meetings.
If you’re interested or want to know more, please attend a training session on Tuesday October 27 noon-12:30 pm
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/2509167396540033?p=5d6n0kEF7Jm2TpMdoK
Meeting ID: 250 916 739 654 003 3
Passcode: 5fq6st29
Dial in by phone
+1 206-485-2614,,508754039# United States, Seattle
(888) 313-0615,,508754039# United States (Toll-free)
Phone conference ID: 508 754 039#
Grievances:
Pool/IP: We met for a Step 3 meeting on Monday. WSNA's position is that an interpretation allowing the Employer to restrict bargaining-unit nurses' access to available work or the Incentive Bonus Program while continuing traveler staffing risks making that negotiated purpose ineffective in practice.
Seniority: WSNA and the employer looking at a settlement to ensure RNs who have continued work time at Centra, Mares, Omak and Moses Lake receive credited seniority.
Unit Steward/Unit Rep:
Interested in Becoming a WSNA Unit Steward?
Want to get more involved with WSNA and help strengthen your unit?
Unit Stewards are nurses who serve as a connection between their coworkers, Local Unit Officers, and the WSNA Nurse Representative. Stewards help nurses find their contract, identify workplace concerns, and connect members with the right resources when questions arise.
No experience is necessary. Training is available! WSNA offers steward training to help nurses learn the basics of representing and supporting coworkers.
If you’re interested in becoming a Unit Steward for your unit, please reach out to your WSNA Nurse Representative for more information.
Strong units start with nurses getting involved.
Bargaining Unit Meetings:
To provide a predictable schedule for the members of the bargaining unit, we will be offering a monthly meeting. This will be the 3rd Wednesday each month and we will alternate in-person and virtual. This will provide members with the opportunity to provide information regarding safety, education, grievances and contract issues. Members are encouraged to ask questions and share concerns as well as to stay involved.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2026
6:30 - 8 PM
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/295186383190973?p=O6a31zVWMwt3kuKwzn
Meeting ID: 295 186 383 190 973
Passcode: Kh7eH6QA
Dial in by phone
+1 206-485-2614,,331323056# United States, Seattle
(888) 313-0615,,331323056# United States (Toll-free)
Phone conference ID: 331 323 056#
Contact an Officer or Nurse Representative for questions or concerns:
YOU ARE WSNA
In solidarity,
Stefanie Gates- Chair
Isaiah Ray- Co-Chair
Megan Baute- Secretary
Simon Morton- Treasurer
Paul Molenaar- Membership
Brittney Lamb- Grievance Officer
Todd Avis- Grievance Officer
Sara Eskew- Communication and Education Officer
Laurie Robinson Nurse Representative
lrobinson@wsna.org
Jenny Galassi Nurse Organizer
jgalassi@wsna.org