May 2022 Newsletter

Thank you to all of the nurses who attended the Nurses Day Breakfast celebration on May 6. We had a great time celebrating NURSES!

All of the t-shirts have been distributed. We will be ordering again soon.

Pre-bargaining survey

The bargaining team thanks all of you who completed the pre-bargaining survey. The information provided will lead the way on our meetings. Please show your support for this hard working and dedicated team!

Meri Bukovinsky-CDU
Michelle Killebrew-Pre/Post CV Cath Lab
Jamie Woodall-FSED
Andrew Blake-Cath Lab
Vanessa Douglas-ICCU
Kat Banks-PACU
Yaamen Aldaas- 9RP
Kelsi Duncan-NICU
Anita Dennis-PACU

Unit Reps

Unit Reps: We are still looking for Unit Reps. The training is free. If you are interested in keeping your unit quickly informed sign up for a class today!

If you have questions, contact Ryan Rosenkranz our Nurse Organizer at rrosenkranz@wsna.org or 206-867-4627.

ADO campaign

We need to hear from you if you are experiencing safety issues on your unit. This means unsafe ratios, Leads taking patients, violence in the workplace, missed breaks or meals, holding patients. Communicate the issue with your Lead, manager and/or PCC. If the issue is not resolved, file an ADO. This is for your safety and the safety of the patients.

All ADOs must be reviewed by the manager and a response comes to the Staffing Committee and to you. If you do not receive a response from your manager, please alert one of the Officers or the Nurse Rep. so that this can be addressed in committee.

Presumptive eligibility

For Health Care Workers During a Public Health Emergency

New Information Provided by L&I:

1. Anytime a nurse or other health care worker requests to file a workers’ compensation claim, the employer is required to allow a claim to be filed.
2. Per Labor and Industries, most workers’ compensation claims that are filed from health care workers are accepted (and not denied).
3. If a workers’ compensation claim is denied, it is usually due to insufficient information, (e.g., test results not provided, lack of information on quarantine order).
4. If a nurse is not allowed (the employer or the third-party administrator) blocks filing a workers’ compensation claim, a Claim Suppression form may be filed with L & I. This alerts Labor and Industries that the employer is disallowing the worker to file a workers’ compensation claim.
5. If a workers’ compensation claim is denied, the worker has the right to appeal/dispute the decision. Disputes must be in writing and may be sent to either Labor and Industries or the Board of Appeals within 60 days.
6. Reclaiming PTO from the employer, once workers’ compensation is approved, is the employee’s responsibility.

For any questions or concerns please contact one of the Officers or Nurse Rep:

Meri Bukovinsky (CDU) Chair
Cell: 208-739-3439
hart.meri@gmail.com

Jamie Woodall (FSED) Co-Chair
Cell: 509-572-1091
jamie.orrr237@gmail.com

Vanessa Douglas (ICU) Secretary/Treasurer
Cell: 352-682-0342
vanessa.p.douglas@gmail.com

Yaamen Aldaas (9 RP) Member at Large
Cell: 509-771-0326
yaamen.aldaas@gmail.com

Anita Dennis (PAU) Grievance Officer
Cell: 509-781-3011
ardennis@rocketmail.com

Laurie Robinson Nurse Representative
Cell: 206-620-4136
lrobinson@wsna.org

Thank you for being a WSNA Member!

YOU ARE WSNA!