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October 2025 Newsletter

October 2025 Newsletter

Lunch and Learn

We will be meeting monthly with contract subject matter. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 14 from 1-3 pm in Conference Room A/B.

The primary subject will be the new Pool and Vacation language. However, this meeting is open to any questions and concerns.

We will be setting up the November meeting soon. Please reach out to an officer or Nurse Representative, Laurie Robinson if you have areas of the contract you would like to learn about.                                      

Hospital Staffing Committee

Submitted by Simon Morton:

Staffing and practice committee updates: Staffing committee had no staffing complaints this last month. First time ever! The only substantive item was the new CFO who came and did a presentation on finances. Overall Confluence is doing well and profitable despite slightly lower than expected census across the system recently.

Practice committee was attended only by yours truly and CNO Kelly Allen. We were still able to get some things done though. Foley protocol will be brought up by the CAUTI committee next month. An official list of certifications accepted by HR was shared (remember you can get an extra $1 for up to 2 certs now).

There is a recurring issue with ITMS and narcotics getting administered despite an order saying not to. Patients have increased risk of side effects if additional narcotics are administered after ITMS. This is because anesthesia puts in an order saying they need to be contacted before any additional narcotics administered, but post-op order sets from surgeons include them anyways. The order from anesthesia is easily missed and errors are occurring. This will be followed up at the physician’s end to see if order sets could be adjusted. To help prevent med errors with narcotics and other PRNs being administered too early, the plan is for a warning when scanned saying it is too soon to be given. This change will likely take place in January update of Epic, pending approval by pharmacy director.  We still need increased participation for this important committee, 3rd Monday of the month 1000-1045. You get paid for attending and up to 3 hours of pay for time worked on projects outside of committee meetings (or more depending on complexity) is available for members. Great committee for anyone working on nursing professional development ladder too! Let me know if you are interested.

The link below is the list of certifications accepted by HR. INCC (Infusion nurses) will be added to this list soon.  This is a text searchable document.

Conference Committee

  • Why is SCN included in vacation process for all of MBU? SCN is included with LD and MBU for vacations is those staff backfill the SCN position. This was the model.
  • MBU Scheduling Issues (FT and PT RNs displaced by Pool)- This was determined to be a miscommunication with the scheduler and will not happen unless there needs to be a more experienced nurse for the shift.
  • Investigatory outcome meetings- currently, the nurse is given the option to meet alone with their manager or, if the nurse chooses to have union representation at the meeting, a member of HR will attend. The concern is that nurses may not have a clear understanding that a corrective action may be given. WSNA encourages any nurse who is asked to attend such meetings to be aware that if you are asked to sign a document, it is a corrective action and will remain in your file for two years. If an Officer or your WSNA representative is not aware, we may miss the filing of a grievance.
  • OR/Pool scheduling ability- This has become an issue as Pool nurses need to provide their availability for open shifts and OR does not self-schedule. More discussion needs to be organized.
  • Contact challenges- current employees who have become RNs, returning RNs and LPNs who have transitioned into an RN role are missing the WSNA introduction during new hire orientation. This is imperative as contract and representational rights need to be understood by all nurses entering the bargaining unit. The employer will work on ensuring proper contact information is received by WSNA.

Benefits Committee

This is a quarterly meeting, and we will meet next on 10/15/25 at 8 am. If you would like to be a part of this committee or are curious about the process, please plan on attending! if you would like a virtual option, please email Brianna Winstanley for the link Brianna.Winstanley@confluencehealth.org

Ann Francis and Ashley Woods will be representing WSNA nurses. Bri will update the invite. Stefanie will be a backup and WSNA will communicate when backups are needed. Next meeting is 10/15/25 at 8 am.

Ann Francis submits the following minutes:

1.) There will be changes to 2026 med/pharm plan for CDHP plans only (doesn't affect PPO plans) so employees with CDHP should compare the new plan in 2026 to 2025 as I don't have the exact proposed numbers for 2026.

a.)  the changes relate to the annual out of pocket limit which is currently (2025) $5000 for Ind and $8000 for families. I think the change is that next year there will be a combined out of packet max for medical and prescription drugs. Also, some other background, the ACA out of pocket limit is $8,300 and currently the CDHP limit is $8,000. I am not sure if this will change in 2026.

Employees with CDHP will just need to look at the new benefits chart for 2026, compare it to 2025 and contact Benefits if they have any questions.

2.) FSA/HSA Accounts: CH is switching to a new vendor, a company called Lively, that is a much smaller, growing company that is cheaper but known to offer excellent customer service. I did not hear about any other changes regarding CH terms for these types of accounts, just the vendor change.

3.) Presenters highlighted the CH in-patient pharmacy has really improved its operations and customer service and so I think they are hopeful that more people will use it as their pharmacy of choice.

4.) There was discussion about GLP-1 drug indications, of which there are many, varied uses. The approval of their use for certain health indications or goals is expanding/evolving.

5.) There was a comment from a retiring RN that the retirement process was confusing or difficult to navigate in terms of on-going medical insurance and I assume possibly, social security etc. Brianna said there is a retirement packet for employees. Once employees submit their paperwork for retirement, this also sets in motion procedures that I think are intended to help employees with the transition. Brianna said the Benefits dept is available for assistance to these employees, they just need to reach out and ask.

Grievances

RBS Oscopy

This grievance involves the change in working conditions in the Oscopy Unit. Nurses have been told that they must create their schedule that would not lead to a potential for RBS or waive. This has been moved for arbitration.

Ratification Bonus

This bonus was to be received by all nurses covered under the collective bargaining agreement. The employer has arbitrarily excluded the Resident RNs even though they are included within the bargaining unit.

Open Officer Positions

This leaves two open positions and if you are interested in either, please reach out to an officer.

WSNA Membership

If you are not a WSNA member please consider completing a membership application today! Just click on the link!

https://wsnaonlineapplicationportalwsnaprod.powerappsportals.com/

Social Media

Follow us on the closed Facebook group WSNA Central Washington RNs and Instagram WSNA at Confluence Central for quick information and answers to your questions.

YOU ARE WSNA

In solidarity,
Open- Chair
Stephanie Gates- Co-Chair
Open- Secretary
Simon Morton- Treasurer
Paul Molenaar- Membership 
Brittney Lamb- Grievance Officer
Isaiah Ray- Grievance Officer

Laurie Robinson Nurse Representative
lrobinson@wsna.org

Ryan Rosenkranz Nurse Organizer
rrosenkranz@wsna.org