Skagit Nurses,

This is a reminder to complete the Meal & Rest Break Survey. Your feedback directly informs our bargaining priorities and strengthens our ability to advocate for enforceable, workable language around meal and rest breaks.

Break compliance continues to be a concern across several units. While state law sets minimum standards, the contract determines how those standards are operationalized including timing windows, combining rest and meal periods, coverage expectations, and protections when breaks are interrupted due to patient care needs. Clear, specific input allows us to identify trends and target solutions.

If you have not yet completed the survey, please take a few minutes to do so before we close it out on February 28:

Why Tracking and Trending Matters

In addition to completing the survey, continued submission of ADOs remains critical.

ADOs are not just individual reports; they are a trending tool. Data aggregation takes time. One report may document a single shift; multiple reports over weeks and months establish a pattern. Patterns are what drive measurable change.

Recent improvements did not happen in isolation. Trending ADO data has already helped:

• Support the addition of break nurse FTEs in certain areas
• Trigger structured workflow reviews
• Improve break coverage processes
• Strengthen discussions around patient care safety and staffing adequacy

These outcomes occurred because nurses consistently documented what was happening in real time.

Every report contributes to the broader dataset. Even when immediate change is not visible, cumulative reporting builds the record necessary to secure adjustments in staffing models, break coverage, and operational processes. Meaningful trend analysis requires participation and persistence.

If you are missing breaks, experiencing delayed meals, or facing workflow barriers that impact patient care — document it. The data matters. Combining the data in ADOs with meal and rest break survey should allow us to optimize the window for working conditions.

Thank you for your continued professionalism and advocacy for safe, sustainable practice conditions.

In solidarity,

Liz Rainaud - RNC Co-Chair
Kyla Malean - Co-Chair
Kim McCann - Secretary
Rachel Yates, RN - Treasurer
Mackenzie Anderson - Grievance Officer
Abubaker Cameron, RN - Grievance Officer, Membership Officer
Crissi Franulovich - Grievance Officer

If you have questions, please reach out to me at rcully@wsna.org, or contact any of your officers. Officer contact information can be found here.