The 1940s: Emerging stronger

Out of the crisis of the Great Depression, WSNA emerged stronger, more efficient and more determined to achieve the goals of its founders. The eight-hour work day had become a reality. Advances in education and the opening of new occupational fields seemed to indicate a brighter period for nursing. But a second world war and serious nursing shortage, use of subsidiary workers, insecurity and discontent were only a few of the problems encountered during the fourth decade of WSNA history. It seemed that this would not be a time for significant advancements or accomplishments. Yet, it was the setbacks and the obstacles encountered in this period that paved the way for future successes, especially in ANA's new Economic Security Program for nurses.

The shortage of nurses on the home front and the need for nursing services in military and VA hospitals contributed to the increased use of subsidiary workers. However, at this time, there were no programs established for pre-service preparation of these workers, and professional nurses were concerned about the quality of the nursing care given to patients. Nurses began to realize that the economic aspects of nursing were important — not only to themselves, but to their patients, as well. WSNA, as it has done each time there has been a nursing shortage or economic downturn in this state, diligently worked in the legislature to protect an unsuspecting public from undertrained and unqualified would-be providers of care.

1940

WSGNA changed its name to the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA).

1941

• The United States entered World War II. ANA supported creation of a Cadet Nurse Corps and helped stop a draft of registered nurses — as more than 100,000 nurses volunteered for service.
• General duty staff nurses expressed unrest and dissatisfaction due to low salaries and poor working conditions.

1942

The Washington State Nursing Council of Defense was created and recommended that nurses in the armed forces were carried as members of WSNA for the duration of the war.

1943

• The Industrial Nurses Section was organized to address the special needs of nurses working in industrial settings (occupational health).
• The first educational program for practical nursing in Washington state was established. WSNA served on the curriculum advisory committee.
• The WSNA House of Delegates authorized the Committee on Standards of Employment to establish certain minimum standards for nurses in hospitals throughout Washington state. In August, the Joint Committee of WSNA and the Washington State Hospital Association voted to send each hospital or employer suggested regulations affecting the employment of graduate nurses.

1945

• America’s nurses topped all professions in number of volunteers for active war service.
• WSNA supported a legislative policy requiring all nurses to have mandatory licensure under the Nurse Practice Act.
• The WSNA Standards of Employment Committee established employment standards for any field of nursing, offering specific advice for the group concerned and providing assistance with solutions, as needed.

1946

• ANA adopted its Economic Security Program, endorsing the eight-hour day/ 40-hour week and calling for elimination of discrimination against minority groups in association membership. ANA urged every state nurses association to act as the exclusive bargaining agents for their members in economic security and collective bargaining.
• The General Staff Nurses Section, which included all nurses employed in hospitals, was dissolved and replaced with the Institutional Nurses Section — which included only general duty staff nurses working in hospitals. Nurses in management positions would later form a new Section.
• The Washington State Student Nurse Council was organized.

1947

A state committee was appointed to participate in the national Study of the Structure of Organized Nursing, which led to the reorganization of the six national nursing organizations.

1948

• The WSNA Public Health Nursing Section was organized, and the Washington State Organization of Public Health Nursing was dissolved.
• WSNA adopted the WSNA Economic Security Program. Each Section pledged support for the program and recommended WSNA be designated as the sole collective bargaining agent for members of the association. WSNA dues were raised to “actively pursue an Economic Security Program.”

1949

• WSNA was officially certified as the official bargaining agent for nurses employed at Boeing Airplane Company and negotiated its first collective bargaining contract.
• WSNA and the Washington State Hospital Association agreed to establish minimum salaries and benefits for nurses in member hospitals: $200 per month in Seattle and $190 outside of Seattle for a 40-hour work week.
• A revised and improved Nurse Practice Act unanimously passed the Legislature; at the same time, a new law licensing practical nurses was also enacted.
• The Administrative Nurses Section was formed to address the needs of nurses in administrative and management positions.
• In July, the Mary Mahoney Registered Nurse Club was organized by Ann Foy Baker to provide scholarships for aspiring young Black students interested in nursing and encourage membership in professional nurses organizations.