The 1950s: Setting standards

The 1950s witnessed WSNA's continued activities in the areas of economic security, legislation and standard setting. In addition, the association moved into the area of “health manpower planning,” becoming one of six professional associations to be charter members of the Washington State Health Council. A long-range study on nursing resources and needs in Washington state was completed, with assistance from the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) and the Washington State League of Nursing Education. Nurses were back in the legislature seeking amendments to the Nurse Practice Act and a collective bargaining bill, which would provide nurses in nonprofit hospitals the right to negotiate with their employers.

1950

The Washington Nursing Study, a nursing supply and demand study completed by USPHS, examined the nursing resources and needs in Washington state. Specific problems identified included: the distribution of RNs to rural areas; the need for improvements in nursing homes and homes for the aged; and better analysis of nursing practice roles and functions to better utilize nursing skills.

1951

• At the request of the Practical Nurses Association of Washington State, a joint committee of WSNA and the Washington State League of Nursing Education prepared an outline for extension courses for practical nurses.
• A special committee on nursing service began research on the Washington Study of Nursing Functions.
  
• Following extensive lobbying and support by ANA and the state nurses associations, landmark legislation establishing new Professional Nursing Traineeship grants were provided under two titles in Public Law 911, “Health Amendments Act of 1956.” The law provided for graduate training of professional public health personnel under Title I and advanced training of professional nurses to serve in administrative or supervisory capacities under Title II. These were the first federally funded nurse traineeships.

1953

Lillian B. Patterson, former dean of the UW School of Nursing and supervisor at Pierce County Health Department, was appointed by President Harry S. Truman as Special Nurse Advisor to the World Health Organization.

1954

The WSNA Board of Directors approved the “Economic Target for General Duty Nurses.” Contents of this document were discussed in negotiations on a statewide agreement with the Committee on Personnel Policies of the Washington State Hospital Association.

1955

An amendment to the Nurse Practice Act provided registered nurses with the authority to “pierce the tissues to administer prescribed drugs, injections, inoculations, tests or other treatments.”

1957

• Reluctance or refusal among employers to negotiate and sign labor relations agreements with nurse bargaining representatives precipitated the WSNA Board of Directors to direct the Committee on Legislation to draft a bill insuring labor relation rights of employees in health care. This bill was introduced in the Legislature; although it was not enacted, a House Resolution was adopted directing the State to “study the problem of the adjustment of labor relations in hospitals, nursing homes and other health care activities” and to report their findings to the 1959 Legislature.
• The labor legislation proposed by WSNA in 1957 resulted in an agreement by the Washington State Hospital Association and WSNA on “Four Principles of Labor Relations” — which established basic ground rules for labor relations discussions between hospital management and WSNA in its efforts to represent nurses in hospitals.

1959

• The WSNA Board of Directors approved an operating manual for the Economic Security Program, serving as a policy guide for WSNA staff to carry out the program. A written agreement on employment conditions was signed for the first time between the Washington State Nursing Home Association and WSNA.
• Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane became the 23rd hospital to sign a contract with WSNA. The contract covered 265 nurses.