On Nov. 4 there were three large topics of discussion at the table. Psych ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners), Jail Patterns, and telecommuting.

After many years of WSNA pushing for the County to make a separate classification for Psych ARNP due to the demand, and the challenge of recruiting for this position, the County has finally come to the table with a new Psych ARNP classification. This is great news.

WSNA and the County had an in-depth discussion about Jail Health pattern bidding. The discussion focused on how to help recruit and increase the stability of jail schedules. The County has faced challenges trying to hire due to the continued churn of patterns for the Jail health nurses. Repeated bidding of patterns provides challenges for the County when it tries to offer a position to a new hire. The County says it makes it difficult if you can’t tell a new recruit what shift or days they will be hired into. The County’s sluggish pace for hiring is a large concern given the persistent number of vacancies in Jail Health.

Last but not least we spent time discussing telecommuting and car use policies. We explained how the current practices do not make sense given the type and location of fieldwork many in Community Health perform and given the variety of projects and modes of client service we engage in. We will be proposing new language to the County to be able to address this issue.

We know that you all are waiting to hear when you will receive the retention bonus ratified back in September 2022. The County is hoping to get this paid in January 2023. WSNA will let you know when we have the exact day this will happen.

Your bargaining team,
Tyler Breier, Chair, Child Care Program
Tami Nesler, Grievance officer, MRJC
Carolyn Clark, Grievance officer, KCCF
Kaila Tang, PHN with NFP
Elena Schensted, PHN with First Steps
Kaila Tang, PHN with Nurse-Family Partnership

For questions, please contact WSNA Nurse Representative Michelle Moore at MMoore@wsna.org or reach out to your local unit officers.