JHS Site visits

Let’s talk about bargaining, WSNA local unit officer nominations, current issues and treats!

At RJC on Tuesday August 27 at 1 p.m. in the Maritza Dow conference room.

At KCCF, we have a tentative date and time of Wednesday August 28 2-4 p.m. We will let you know if this changes as we await confirmation from management.

JHS labor management committee (LMC)

We will continue to raise workplace safety, conditions and practice issues to JHS labor management committee:

Your JHS LMC for KCCF and RJC WSNA staff nurses continues to meet virtually, usually on a monthly basis. Workplace safety is always a union issue and must be addressed as often as needed. Procedures should be followed if you are assaulted in or around the facility.  You do not need permission to file a police report or origami or ADO.  Police reports and ADOs are legally discoverable, while origamis are not. However, they do go to the County safety committee for JHS/DAJD for follow up, tracking.  Staff nurses are encouraged to file police reports and origamis with any actual or attempted assault (including verbal abuse and chasing) they experience.  The committee is not a WSNA-only committee, other departments participate. If you would like to know more, you are encouraged to contact your supervisor or manager for more information.

This month, we discussed standard expected follow-up for attempted or actual assaults that staff nurses may experience in or around your work site. The aim is for the nurse to receive compassionate support in the immediate, while being forward-thinking to prevent recurrences. All staff nurses are encouraged to request security escort to go to vehicles in parking garages or other parking.  We have asked about utilization of “walking-pools” and security escorts requested by staff nurses. Walking-pools is an initiative begun over the last year through work between union employees, labor reps and employer. We expect to receive information about this and the other topics at the September 4 LMC.

Contact your site reps Tami Nesler at RJC or Carolyn Clark and Frieda Lehn at KCCF to give your input about how personal safety can be improved as you come to and leave the facility.

Preceptor classes are being offered again for new or current preceptors in September!  The information we received from RJC supervisor is that it will occur on Sept. 25 and that further details would come from them. Contact your supervisor regarding information to confirm details to participate. We discussed the issues faced by both preceptors and new hires to improve the processes and experience for all. It is hoped that these classes will continue to be provided to meet these goals.

Regarding access to job aids at your work site that are present, complete and current:

Remember, friends don’t let friends walk away with the pages from the job aid binders, nor do WSNA staff nurses 😊 In all seriousness, stay tuned for better access to current job aids and IT improvements that we learned are in-process. We anticipate learning more at the next LMC.

Thank you for talking with your site reps to raise issues that may need to be discussed at JHS LMC.  If there is something new and you have already raised it with your supervisor directly, you are encouraged to:

1. Use the designated topic/issue box or clip board at your site
2. Use the designated tracking sheet/board for facilities to follow up on missing/broken equipment, work areas in disrepair
3. Talk with your site rep
4. Contact the WSNA Nurse Representative Tara Barnes tbarnes@wsna.org

 Presumptive Eligibility for PTSD for Nurses

One of WSNA’s 2023 legislative priorities was to ensure that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is recognized as an occupational disease for nurses. This law has been passed, removing barriers for nurses to receive help and treatment for PTSD acquired through their work. Being a nurse is tough. Getting help shouldn’t be. For more information, reach out to your Nurse Representative at tbarnes@wsna.org or contact Labor and Industries to file a claim.

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative at tbarnes@wsna.org.