We are interested to hear from nurses at St. Joe’s who have international experience. It’s come to our attention that nurses with experience outside of America and Canada may have received only 50% credit for their years of experience when coming to work at St. Joseph Medical Center. For example, a nurse who worked in the Philippines for 6 years before coming to SJMC may have only received 3 years of credit. We want to know how widespread this issue is, and we need your help to find out. If you have worked as an RN outside of the United States, please fill out the below form and let us know about your experience when coming to work for SJMC or other VMFH facilities.

A Surge in ADOs

Assignment Despite Objection (ADO) forms have been coming in at a rapid pace recently. We are aware of multiple staffing issues nurses are facing, especially in the PCU, Peri-Op, Med-Surg, and the Family Birth Center. We read every ADO that comes in, and you can be assured that we are addressing them at the Hospital Staffing Committee and with hospital management, and we will bring them up at the negotiating table. Serious concerns raised recently through ADOs are being addressed through the grievance process. When you file an ADO, you are not just filling out a meaningless form. You are making a real impact and advocating for yourself, your fellow nurses, and your patients. Keep ‘em coming.

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 JRichardson@WSNA.org or contact Labor and Industries to file a claim.

Missed Meals and Rest Breaks 

Labor and Industries has clarified regulations and laws regarding missed meals and rest breaks. This includes information on scheduling breaks, timing of meal breaks during shifts, requirements for meal break waivers, and compensation for missed breaks.

Meal and rest breaks must be uninterrupted unless there’s an emergency. Missed breaks must be paid, or made up within the timeframe defined by LNI, and hospitals must report the number of missed breaks to the state. It’s crucial that nurses report every missed meal and rest break. If you have questions, please contact your Nurse Representative at JRichardson@WSNA.org.

Kick-Off Event Countdown: 11 Days!

Our Bargaining Kickoff Event is in 11 days! You can RSVP to the event on FB at https://www.facebook.com/share/jbT6RETHkEgNADDG/ Make sure to come out to get your WSNA shirt, meet your negotiations team, and sign up to be an in-person observer for negotiations. There will be free food, gift card drawings, and more - we can't wait to see you there!

Stay in the Loop!

Make sure you're following our Instagram, @sjmc_wsna, and have joined our private Facebook group (ask your unit rep to add you if you're not already on it). As we approach negotiations, it's crucial to read the email updates and stay informed about what's happening at the table.

In Solidarity,

Your WSNA Officers and Negotiating Team
Emily Nollmeyer, local unit Co-Chair, Labor and Delivery, day shift
Carina Price, local unit Co-Chair, ICU, night shift
Matthew McGuire, Treasurer/Grievance officer, ED, day shift
Shelly Mead, Grievance officer, ED, day shift
Yunna Flenord, Grievance officer, ICU, night shift
Teresa Kindell, Membership Coordinator, 2S, day shift
Shannon Suchland, Secretary, Walter's OR, day shift
Jessica Lenczycki, negotiating team member, Labor and Delivery, night shift
Kate Frazier, negotiating team member, 7^th floor, night shift
Sarah Guillen, negotiating team member, EP, day shift
Kat Jabasa, negotiating team member, Main OR, day shift

You can contact WSNA Nurse Representative Jared Richardson, MSN, RN, at jrichardson@wsna.org or WSNA Organizer Grace LaMonte at glamonte@wsna.org.