In this issue:

• Nurse Staffing Committee has a new name and new members! Hospital Staffing Committee
  • What’s the Scoop on ADOs (Assignment Despite Objection forms)? If its not documented, it didn’t happen
• WSNA Conference Committee Topics and Updates from the Officers!
• SAVE the DATE! WSNA Sip and Chat with your Local Unit Officers! Virtual March 6!
• SAVE the DATE! Nurses week event! May 8
• SAVE THE DATE! American Nurses Association President is coming to SPOKANE, and WSNA members are invited! FREE Dinner at the Historic Davenport Hotel. May 9, 2024.  6 – 8 pm
• Did you get this newsletter via email? If not, let’s find out why!

Nurse Staffing Committee is now Hospital Staffing Committee!

In 2023, WSNA worked closely with our partners in the WA Safe + Healthy Coalition to help pass a more effective safe staffing bill, SB 5236. As a result, the law was expanded to include additional caregivers to work alongside the RNs.

(Hospital Staffing Committee members. (Pictured – Hanna Hartz OB, Sarah Garibaldo OB, Bonnie Brown OB, and Acacia Prather OB. Not pictured but on the committee – Ann Leung MSU, Janine Hyde CNA Same Day)

This law improves the 2017 staffing law by providing additional reporting requirements for hospitals, accountability for compliance with staffing plans, removes the CEO veto of staffing plans, and a number of other measures aimed to improve accountability of hospitals in terms of safe staffing standards and patient safety. While the law that was ultimately passed did not contain all of the original pieces we wanted, we are pleased with the outcome as it keeps us moving forward towards safer nurse staffing standards.

What’s the Scoop on ADOs (Assignment Despite Objection forms)? If its not documented, it didn’t happen

A successful committee is one that addresses issues and finds solutions. Did you know, each ADO (Assignment Despite Objection) form that is filled out, each committee member gets a copy, as well as management and ALL forms go to the committee to be reviewed. They are marked either resolved, unresolved, or dismissed depending on the situation. By marking forms in this way, the committee is able to track trends, and address unsafe situations.

Each time you fill out a Datix, fill out an ADO as well.

ADOs are tracked, and because they are reviewed at the Hospital Staffing Committee, they are the certain way your issue will be addressed appropriately. While we encourage nurses to fill out a Datix, they should also be filling out ADOs at the same time. This way, your committee will know when there is a problem that needs their attention!

Bookmark the WSNA ADO form to your phone!

WSNA Conference Committee Topics and UPDATES from your Local Unit Officers

Janine Lawrence ICU WSNA Chair, Amy Gifford ICU WSNA Vice Chair, Katy Schmidt ICU WSNA Sec/Treasurer, Trina Partain SDS WSNA Grievance Officer

On February 5, your Local Unit Officers meet with management to address topics that aren’t necessarily addressed in the contract. Conference Committee is also a platform to resolve issues or grievances at the lowest level possible. Here is a rundown of what was discussed, and what you can expect!

1. Stroke Education – Nurses felt like this is a requirement but didn’t feel the support from management in obtaining the needed ed hours
   • PRH has told us they are providing the materials at no cost to nurses. The goal is for nurses to self select what module they want to learn about. If done at home, this will be paid time. Options range from American Heart Assoc. to Blue Cloud for training. The Rapid Response team, ED RNs and ICU RNs all need 8 hrs. The rest of the nurses need only 1 hr. to be in compliance.
2. Schedule and PTO Requests – Nurses would like to see one master schedule for all departments
   • Different schedules were presented to management, as well as how they range in terms of submitting PTO. Management has told us they will create one master schedule so there is a universal approach for all departments.
3. Cross Training Opportunities – Nurses would like to know the correct process if they want to cross train
   • It was communicated to management that nurses don’t know the correct process if they want to cross train to another unit. Management has told us nurses are to email their Nurse Manger and make the request and it will be honored. If more than one RN would like to be cross trained, then management has told us they will work to fit everyone in. Management has also told us they will work to make an official process for this going forward so its more user friendly and clear should someone show interest.
4. Job Postings / New Positions -  Nurses have told us not everyone gets opportunities for training and advancement.
   • During Conference Committee management addressed this issue and communicated there have been times in the past where clinical opportunities have arose, and people were selected because the nurse showed interest. However it was not formally posted, for people to respond to. Management has told us on a going forward basis, they will put out an email with opportunities to allow people the chance to self-select and make their interests known with the goal of being selected.
5. Internal postings – Nurses ask us if all postings need to be made available?
   • The answer is yes. Per Article 7.2.1 all department vacancies are to be posted. Management reassured us this was happening, and to please let them know if not.

Next Conference Committee is June 11 at 0930.  There are NO BAD topics for conference committee. If an issue arises, call your Nurse Rep to work through it, or get it added to the agenda!

SAVE the DATE! WSNA Sip and Chat with your Local Unit Officers! Virtual March 6

Your Local Unit Officers are hosting a virtual sip and chat to help nurses get together and build relationships. We understand many live in rural areas, so this will be hosted via Microsoft Teams!
Check your email or contact one of the officers for the link to join us!

SAVE the DATE! Nurses week event! May 8. 7-10 am and 6-8:30 pm. Conference room B

Your Local Unit Officers are hard at work planning for Nurses Week! There will be two open house sessions for nurses to drop in, grab a bit to go, and pick up their nurses week gift! This is a great time to build unity with other WSNA nurses as well. This is your big week RNs! Let’s celebrate you!

American Nurses Association President is coming to SPOKANE, and WSNA members are invited!

FREE Dinner at the Historic Davenport Hotel. May 9, 2024.  6 – 8 pm

A sought-after presenter and prolific author, Jennifer S. Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, serves as the 38^th president of the American Nurses Association. In this national leadership role, Mensik Kennedy boldly advocates for the nation’s 5.5 million RNs.

By being a member of WSNA, you are also a member of IENA (Inland Empire Nurses Association). IENA, in honor of our valuable nurses and in partnership with WSNA, is bringing a FREE dinner for nurses at the Historic Davenport Hotel in recognition of Nurses Week. We hope every RN can attend. RSVP will be required due to limited seating. Look for more information to come soon to save your seat!

Did you get this newsletter via email? If not, let’s find out why!

Check your spam or junk folder. If it’s not there, we probably don’t have an address on file for you. Contact Nurse Rep Jaclyn Smedley BSN, RN to make sure your information is correct so you don’t miss out on any important topics!

Questions, please contact WSNA Nurse Rep Jaclyn Smedley at jsmedley@wsna.org.