The 1990s: Rebuilding

The 1990s were about recovery, rebuilding and healing wounds. The determination to keep WSNA alive and viable was evident among the leadership and members of WSNA. Following the raids, membership in WSNA dropped below 5,000. Other trade unions attempted additional raids, but were not successful. WSNA began the long, arduous process of rebuilding.

This was an era of “restructuring, down-sizing, right-sizing and re-engineering” in the health care industry. Cost-containment was the name of the game. Layoffs occurred and support positions were eliminated, even as the complexity and acuity of patients grew. This led to many nurses leaving the profession and sowed the seeds for the next nursing shortage. Yet, nurses also were in increasing demand in the policy arena. WSNA members were invited to sit on many state boards and commissions, including the Commission on Nursing Shortage, Long-Term Care Commission, Perinatal Steering Committee, Developmental Disabilities Council, Statewide Steering Committee on Adolescent Pregnancy/Pregnancy Prevention/Parenting, State Board of Health, Nursing Assistant Advisory Committee, Oversight Committee for Nursing Forgivable Loan Program and the Board of Registered Nursing.

1990

• Nurse Legislative Day in Olympia attracted 450 registered nurses and nursing students.
  
• WSNA won a reimbursement dispute between King County Medical Blue Shield (KCMBS) and two WSNA members who were advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs). KCMBS agreed to reimburse the two ARNPs for their services and to reimburse all “independently practicing nurses" in the future.

1991

• The first Nursing Administration/Education Summit was held and cosponsored by WSNA, WONE (Washington Organization of Nurse Executives) and CNEWS (Council of Nurse Educators of Washington State).
  
• WSNA Member Rosa Franklin was elected to the Washington State Legislature.
  
• The WSNA Health Care Access Task Force issued eight position papers on health care reform issues; in 1993, WSNA reaffirmed its position supporting comprehensive health care reform.
• The Supreme Court ruled to endorse the appropriateness of all-RN bargaining units; WSNA and ANA testified in support.

1992

WSNA published "Guidelines for the Registered Nurse in Giving, Accepting, or Rejecting an Assignment."

1993

• WSNA, in conjunction with the Washington Association of Nurse Anesthetists and organized medicine, helped pass legislation authorizing nurse anesthetist practice in its current scope.
• WSNA published "Third Party Reimbursement for RNs in Washington State," the first booklet in the nation to explain federal and state payment systems for RNs.
  
• WSNA condemned discrimination against gay and lesbian members of the military.
  
• Public Health Nursing celebrated its 100th anniversary.

1994

• WSNA supported recognition of violence as a public health problem, the importance of reducing violent behaviors through education and treatment, and supported legislation that would make an assault on a health care provider a class C felony.
  
• WSNA responded to a request by the Alaska Nurses Association to assist with organizing and establishing economic and general welfare programs. The result was one of the first Shared Services Agreements in the country.

1995

ANA and WSNA launched a joint “Every Patient Deserves a Nurse” media campaign.

1996

WSNA secured passage of whistleblower legislation to protect nurses.

1997

WSNA achieved passage of legislation that limits the use of the professional title “nurse” to RN or LPN.

1999

• Nurse Delegation in Washington State Community Based Residential Care Settings was implemented.
  
• WSNA successfully lobbied for specific funding in the state budget to improve nurses’ salaries in long-term care.