Things are happening, SHMC nurses, and we want you to be in the know!  See below for important updates from your local unit officers.

COVID vaccine and declination - what are your options?

We heard Thursday morning, Sept 13^, 2023 that management will be asking nurses to receive the most up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine available, and that this must be done by Nov 30.  Because of this, we took the issue promptly to WSNA Conference Committee to be addressed.  The committee meets once a month, for one hour, and the members jointly discuss issues nurses deal with daily.  On this day, Management communicated to the WSNA team members that nurses will have the option to decline the booster vaccine should they want to.  Even if the nurse received the COVID vaccine in the past, they will still have the option to decline.  Whether it’s for religious, medical, or just a strongly held belief. 
We felt this was a good alternative for our nurses and are happy to bring this information to you! BIG thank you to Beth Ehring from L and D for bringing this issue forward to the officer team immediately so it could be addressed!

Hot off the Press – MOUs!

Thursday, September 13, 2023, you came, and you voted, and you RATIFIED the two following MOUs! Congratulations on your WIN! Not only is the Surgical Float Pool now expanded to more units they can help to cover, but there is also a referral bonus in place for our valuable RNs.  Check it out for yourself and see below!

SAVE THE DATE for MemberFEST!

What’s all work and no play? Not much.  Therefore, we are planning a fall event to get the nurses of WSNA/SHMC together and have fun!  The details of this family friendly event are still being finalized, but a date and venue are secured.  Join all of the festivities including the pumpkin carving contest to win prizes! Food will be provided, as well as non-alcoholic beverages. Beer can be purchased individually from the brewery.  Hope to see you there. Cheers!

October 25, 2023, from 4-8 p.m.
Big Barn Brewing Company
16004 N Applewood Ln, Mead, WA 99021

Did you get this newsletter via email? If not, then we probably don’t have a working home email address for you! Contact Jaclyn Smedley BSN, RN Nurse Rep at jsmedley@wsna.org to trouble shoot on why this is happening. We want to make sure you don’t miss out on any important updates.

Questions? Contact your officers or WSNA Nurse Representative Jaclyn Smedley.  Contact information can be found on the WSNA Local Unit Web Page.