1980s: Recognition and raids

WSNA became known as a leader among state nurses’ associations, with several WSNA leaders elected to national offices, including Eunice Cole as ANA president. Despite the chaos caused by the raids of the 1980s, WSNA continued to make significant contributions to the profession.

The Washington Nurse, April 1983

Registered nurses from throughout the state gathered in Olympia in late January to participate with pride in the first ever Nurse Lobby Day sponsored by WSNA's political arm — PUNCH. A highlight of this unique event was the special recognition given Eunice Cole of Bellingham, first Washingtonian to be elected president of the 165,000-member American Nurses Association. Eunice addressed both houses of the legislature as some 300 nurses crowded the galleries. Floor resolutions also were adopted by both bodies honoring her “for her accomplishments to the health care field in Washington State and the United States of America.”

In her remarks to the state's lawmakers, the national nursing leader said, “The history of nursing in this country is rich with its demonstrated concern for quality patient care.... The American Nurses Association has, since its inception, held the belief that health care is a right of all persons, not a privilege for a few.... Health care delivery in this state and in our nation is in a period of great stress... We must not allow any man, woman or child to die in our great country because they were denied health care.”

The Washington Nurse, February 1985

“I can let go when I leave here. Sometimes there are tears running down my face while I am talking with people, but I can let go.” Carol Dunphy looks down at her hands as she forms her thoughts.

“You can care very much about people and you can help them with their problem, but it is important to remain objective. I admit that sometimes I need a transition period, sometimes I’ll go for coffee by myself, but I can keep this all in perspective.”

Dunphy has had to keep work in perspective for some time. As a Family Nurse Practitioner with the Seattle King County Department of Public Health AIDS Assessment, Education and Surveillance Project, Dunphy works with people in crisis; people who think they may have contracted AIDS.

As a patient advocate, she is involved with symptom evaluation, education regarding risk reduction and empathetic listening. She answers questions and promotes common sense.

“I do a fair amount of patient advocacy,” she says. People need to know about the disease, when they should go to the doctor, how to find someone they can be open with so they can get the best possible care. What happens too often is that patients don’t communicate with their doctors. People at risk are often not comfortable sharing that information with a doctor. It is very difficult for AIDS patients to focus on what they did to get the disease.”

Since joining the Health Department in 1983, Dunphy has seen more than 200 people concerned they might have AIDS. Out of that population, she has encountered only one AIDS victim.

But the low percentage for what has been dubbed an epidemic does not diminish the real fear Dunphy sees.

“People are in crisis over this disease. People are afraid and angry and many of them are going to pieces. It’s a complex situation. People who are gay are also normal. But people who are gay sometimes contract this disease. It’s very difficult for everyone concerned.”

Helping people focus on their problems is a major part of Dunphy’s life. It began with nursing school, 19 years ago, and continued through staff nursing in Minnesota, Illinois and Washington, a BSN from Seattle Pacific University, and a masters degree in psychosocial nursing from the U.W. In addition to staff nursing assignments, she has worked at the King County Jail, the Center for Addiction Services, Seattle and the North End Community Health Care Clinic.

“Nursing has many opportunities now. It’s not like it was 19 years ago. I think it’s neat that nurses can now bring their backgrounds to areas where nursing has not been traditionally involved.”

She says the work is rewarding, but too often stressful. “Nursing is very demanding. You put a lot of energy into your job, and you don’t always get feedback. It is important to learn how to work with patients, with people, and not get burned out. For me, I find it helpful to do something I can watch grow, like knitting or sewing. That can give positive feedback.”

Dunphy says she gets most of her support from other people, friends and co-workers.

“I am lucky because I really like my job. I have an independent role, and many opportunities to use my skills. We are very fortunate to have this project in Seattle. Not every city is so lucky.”

The Washington Nurse, July/August 1989

As many of you are aware, on Monday, July 3, four WSNA labor relations specialists were discharged from their employment. According to Executive Director Joyce Pashley Stockwell, the four were discharged for cause; for disloyalty to the association. On Wednesday, July 5, three additional labor relations staff resigned. On July 6, most of the former staff members joined together to form the nucleus of another, competing union, Local 141, under the auspices of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW). That same day six members of the WSNA Board of Directors resigned their positions and joined forces with the former employees.

WSNA responded quickly to the disruption and is treating it as a raid; one union, a new, unorganized one, raiding another, organized one. According to WSNA President Joanna Boatman, “This raid is highly unethical.” She likens the action to a hostile corporate takeover attempt.

In response to allegations by the new Local 141 that WSNA is pro-management, Boatman says, “The staff nurse issue is really a bogus one. The fact is, WSNA is run by staff nurses, 85 percent of the association is comprised of staff nurses, and has been under the direction of staff nurses for many years. In fact, nationwide, WSNA is viewed as a leader and a role model in staff nurse participation.” Boatman continues with, “The leaders of this new union are really a minority group who were unable to accept the majority decision of members of the association to continue to include collective bargaining as a component of WSNA.”

WSNA Executive Director Beverly Smith was a tireless advocate, so passionate and knowledgeable about issues impacting nurses that most people never realized she was not herself a nurse. Key accomplishments include establishing a political action committee for nurses before ANA or any other state, promoting WSNA’s Affirmative Action Plan for nurses of color, and helping architect ANA’s restructure into a modified federation