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Spokane Veterans Home

Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs
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Officers

Co-Chair

Hardish Khinda, RN

Co-Chair

Buster Wagner

Secretary

Open

Treasurer

Brandi Simundson

Grievance Officer

Jihan Herring

Email

WSNA staff contact

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Staffing Complaint (ADO) form
Latest update

Department of Veterans Affairs Day #1 Negotiation UPDATE

The first day of bargaining is complete. Today was short, since it is the first day, but so far things are moving as they should.

Topics presented today were:

  • Eliminating the ability to cancel on call staff and adding them to the low census definition. We also proposed a clear, fair and equitable, low census process to protect all RNs.
  • The ability for nurses to waive their 2nd or 3rd meal break should they want to.
  • Language that will strengthen the process to compensate nurses appropriately when exercising an alternative holiday.
  • Vacation requests being approved or disapproved in a timely manner.
  • Break relief shifts for RNs to pick up in order to provide breaks for those working a full shift.
  • RN3s not being forced to work a cart if managing supervisory duties. The ability to work a cart is voluntary.
  • We proposed for on call to be added to the Just Cause provisions.

Today only non-economics were discussed. Wages, premiums and other economic issues were asked to be put on hold by management for a later bargaining date when the financial landscape is more clear from the state.

Next day to bargain is May 27.
 Stay tuned for the next update!

Your WSNA negotiating team members are:
Hardish Khinda and Buster Wagner

When you see them, thank them for their time and dedication to the nurses of the Spokane VA!

Officer nominations are OPEN!

Its that time again. Time to nominate a fellow RN to be a WSNA officer. Nurses can nominate another nurse, or themselves. All are welcome! Must be a member in good standing to serve as a WSNA officer.

To begin your nomination, click here.

Deadline is April 29, 2026 to complete the form. 

Questions? Contact Nurse Rep Jaclyn Smedley BSN, RN at jsmedley@wsna.org

Previous updates

WSNA union news

PeaceHealth barred from threatening to take healthcare from striking workers

WSNA filed an unfair labor practice and won. This win protects all employees in the health system, union represented or not.

April 14, 2026

Justin Gill stands up for science

"Nurses rely on science and evidence to guide our decisions. We advocate for our patients, and we will continue to protect them from harmful policy decisions."

March 13, 2026

Q&A with Edna Cortez, chair of the WSNA Labor Executive Council

“I will stand behind you, in front of you, or carry you on my shoulders to help guide you and to help give you strength.“

March 13, 2026

Resources and tools

Document unsafe conditions

If you find yourself in a situation that you believe creates unsafe conditions for patients or for you, you should complete a Staffing Complaint / ADO Form as soon as possible.

By completing the form, you will help make the problem known to management, creating an opportunity for the problem to be addressed. Additionally, you will be documenting the facts, which may be helpful to you later if there is a negative outcome.

WSNA also uses your ADO forms to track the problems occurring in your facility. When you and your coworkers take the important step of filling out an ADO form, you are helping to identify whether there is a pattern of unsafe conditions for you or your patients at your facilities. This information is used by your conference committee, staffing committee, and WSNA labor staff to improve your working conditions.

Learn more

Representation rights

As a union member, you have the right to have a representative present in any meetings with management that could potentially lead to disciplinary action against you.

If called into a meeting with management, read the following to management when the meeting begins:

If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated, I respectfully request that my union representative be present at this meeting. Without representation present, I choose not to participate in this discussion.

Find out more about this crucial right and how to exercise it to ensure your fair treatment and protection.

Learn more

Continuing education offerings

Enhance your professional competency with WSNA's free online courses.

Earn CNE contact hours through topics like Cultural Humility, Telehealth Assessment, Workplace Violence Prevention, and more. Convenient and self-paced, our courses provide practical knowledge for your daily work. Expand your skills and stay up-to-date with the latest nursing practices.

Visit cne.wsna.org