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Whatcom County Health and Community Services

Overview Documents Updates Resources and tools

Officers

Co-Chair

Nicole L. Miller

Co-Chair

Kai Rapaport

Treasurer

Lela C. Riherd

Grievance Officer

Julie A. McElroy

WSNA staff contact

Update your membership information
Your union rights
Staffing Complaint (ADO) form
Latest update

Don’t just wish for change. Lead it.

Level up new

Leadership Conference

Date: April 26-April 28 (Sun, Mon, Tues) at the Wenatchee Convention Center.

  • The Labor Executive Committee (LEC) is offering bargaining units with less than 150 members, two free scholarships and lodging.
  • The LEC Sponsorship includes admission to the Leadership Conference, and a 2-night hotel stay. It's first-come, first-served, with a limit of 2 per local unit. There is a sponsorship spot for one more Whatcom nurse available. Will it be you? Check your schedule, ensure time off and notify Nurse Representative Tara Barnes tbarnes@wsna.org to be considered for this sponsorship.
  • The cutoff for application is March 23.

Why You Belong There

The WSNA Leadership Conference isn't just for people with titles. It’s for the nurse who is tired of feeling powerless. It’s for the advocate who knows our profession deserves better. It’s for you.

By attending, you aren't just taking a break from the workplace, you’re gaining the tools to fix the workplace. You’ll leave with:

  • Advanced Advocacy Skills: Learn how to navigate grievances, Investigatory Meetings, and staffing committees.
  • Policy Insights: Get the latest on the legislative battles happening in Olympia.
  • A Support Network: Connect with a brotherhood and sisterhood of nurses who have your back.
  • And…. It is a lot of fun. Nurses have described the much-needed uplifting energy from the conference that comes from being with peers across the state, in the workshops, enjoying meals together or jacuzzi and pool time 😊

One more update!

The County has responded to the request to provide a couple of Zoom options to cover the nuances of the new Teamster’s health benefits plan. Please look at your work email for these offerings. With any transition between plans on this scale, including internal navigation tools and contacts for specific inquiries, this offering by the County is a very positive one. A PDF of contacts of who to contact for these inquiries is posted on your local unit webpage.

Contact a local unit officer or the Nurse Representative with questions or concerns:

  • Nicole Miller WSNA co-chair
  • Kai Rapaport WSNA co-chair
  • Lela Riherd WSNA treasurer
  • Julie McElroy WSNA grievance officer
  • Nurse Rep Tara Barnes tbarnes@wsna.org

Link to your full WSNA webpage, contract, related documents and communications 
https://www.wsna.org/union/whatcom-county-health-department

Previous updates

WSNA union news

Kadlec nurses picket for workplace violence prevention, break relief, wages

Following 18 bargaining sessions with limited progress, hundreds of nurses picketed outside Kadlec Regional Medical Center on Jan. 26, saying stronger contract language is needed to address mounting safety and staffing concerns.

February 17, 2026

Big contract wins for Tacoma General and Mary Bridge NICU nurses

Nurses at Tacoma General and Mary Bridge NICU picketed Jan. 23, reached a tentative agreement a week later, and overwhelmingly ratified new contracts on Feb. 6.

February 17, 2026

Selection process for WSNA’s next Executive Director

The WSNA Board of Directors, elected by the membership, is committed to a transparent and thorough transition.

February 16, 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