Due to the nature of our work, we are among the people most likely to contract the coronavirus. Along with our coworkers and the first responders, we are the frontline for healthcare.

As your elected WSNA Officers, our top priority is to keep all nurses informed and safe, especially during this COVID-19 crisis. There are four critical actions we need to take to see the changes we all deserve.

• Fill out the ADO/Staffing Complaint form
• Communicate with us
• Visit the WSNA.org/COVID-19 page
• Sign the COVID-19 Petition

The ADO/Staffing Complaint form is the best tool to document unsafe working conditions such as staffing. But, it is also used for numerous other reasons. For example - nurses across the state are being asked to reuse PPE or are not provided adequate PPE. Every time this happens you should submit an ADO. Remember – if you didn’t chart it, it didn’t happen. The ADO is the charting. An ADO is also discoverable in court and provides the documentation that the nurses identified and brought the safety concerns to the manager’s attention. WSNA has filed numerous complaints with the DOSH (Department of Occupational Safety and Health) resulting in active investigations all because the nurses completed these forms. The ADO can be easily filled out online in minutes and all the nurses on the unit can add their name. If a manager tells you not to fill out a form, or discourages you from filling out a form, you need to let us know as it may be seen an Unfair Labor Practice.

We need to hear from you. We want to hear from you. It is our passion to make WhidbeyHealth the hospital we can all be proud of again, but we can’t do it without your input. If there was ever a time to stand UNITED it is now, and our union is the best resource to make that change. Talk to us when we round your unit, answer our emails or texts when we check on you. Our WSNA Organizer, Will Nesper and Nurse Rep, Terri Williams are available too.

WSNA is working relentlessly with the governor’s office and state agencies to provide accurate and current resources for the nurses. Issues regarding everything from revised PPE guidelines, finding childcare, hazard pay, refusing dangerous assignments, unpaid leave if exposed, and many more. Most of your questions are answered at the links below, but there are new questions daily. Ask and WSNA will do the research.

Please visit:

https://www.wsna.org/nursing-practice/covid-19

https://www.wsna.org/news/2020/faq-on-novel-coronavirus

Lastly, there is a statewide petition demanding safe working conditions for nurses and healthcare workers. Sign it and share it widely

Take care of yourself while you struggle to meet all your family, work and other commitments. Remember how awesome you are and how impactful we are to the well-being of so many others.

In Solidarity,

Gwen Parrick, BSN, RN; Chair rsgsparr@​whidbey.​com
Jeremy Aaron, BSN, RN; Grievance Officer jaaron575@​gmail.​com
Laura Black, RN; Grievance Officer tomnlaura@​hotmail.​com
Luka MacKay, BSN, RN; Secretary/Treasurer lukamackay@​gmail.​com