Join us in congratulating Caine Ballew on his appointment as Membership Officer. It’s exciting to welcome passionate Overlake RNs into leadership and activism!

I have been a Nurse since February of 2013. I started in the Emergency department and cardiac/stroke. Since 2015, I have been a cardiac/stroke float Nurse. I have worked at both Union and non-Union hospitals. I have been an active unit rep for most of my career. 

For me, being an active Nurse and being an active union member is important. It is important to me because I believe as Nurses, we need voices who will press to improve and advance the quality of care we provide and advocate for the wellbeing and needs of Nurses. Working with the Union gives us extra support and a platform where we can stand stronger together.

I have years of experience working with Unions, Managers and side by side with other Nurses to improve our work environments. I am always looking for input from colleagues for improvement suggestions big and small. I will always do my best to help as I am able. 

Outside of work, I enjoy doing activities with my kiddo, sci-fi action movies, cooking and traveling when I can.  I have a love for plants and have many! I have multiple fish tanks and one 80 lb. dog 😊

Pearls from Conference Committee

Lactation accommodation is provided at Overlake for nursing moms, consistent with federal regulations.  You’ve likely seen the pods for use in the facility. Check out the HR tab in MyOverlake for the FAQ for breastfeeding moms. If pumping occurs at times other than paid breaks, it is unpaid time. 

Pay errors do occur, so there is a correction request process available through payroll. The first suggestion is to ALWAYS check your pay statements.  You may not know how to read shift differential is paid for regular or vacation hours, for example, look at the HR info on how to read your time slip on MyOverlake. We understand this is an issue discussed before and that pay correction requests is a process the nurse must do after the fact.  Overlake utilizes a Dimensions consultant and runs reports every pay cycle to capture issues not caught automatically.  Nurses must continue to review their pay statements because those dollars and cents add up to your hard-earned income.

Secret shoppers: We learned what the intent and scope of this is, a quality initiative to track hand hygiene, not surveillance regarding other nurse practice.

Mandatory OT (MOT): while it prohibited as a go-to solution for chronic, recurring or anticipated events, there are exceptions to the requirement of reasonable efforts to be taken.  It is critical to submit an ADO every time for trending so that the frequency and causes are known to your staffing committee and serve as documentation.  Here is the link explaining requirements for when MOT may be implemented: https://lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/wages/overtime/mandatory-nurses-overtime

Staffing committee

Do you have an awesome PCT in your department that you recommend being part of the Staffing committee? We are sure you do! Email Nurse Rep Tara Barnes tbarnes@wsna.org so we can follow up. The PCT’s who will serve on the committee are chosen by their union peers, so let’s get started! LPN’s and MAs are also encouraged to reach out with interest and questions. Current staffing committee members WSNA trainings launch October 19 on Microsoft Teams.  Training for new or interested nurses will take place in December.  Watch your personal email for registration information.

Negotiations Survey

The survey will launch later this month to determine priorities and readiness for bargaining the contract in 2024.  Watch your personal email and texts that will alert the nurses to complete the survey.  The best proposals come from high survey participation!

In unity,
Chris Birchem, Chair Ortho/Spine Surgery
Cassie Bundick, Treasurer South 3
Caine Ballew, Membership Float Pool
Tara Barnes, WSNA Nurse Representative, tbarnes@wsna.org