WSNA has been notified that RNs may be redeployed to address staffing needs during the Omicron surge. There are a few things to be aware of if you are asked to float. If you are not affected, you may see some of these nurses working in your unit and please take note of some of the conditions for those nurses who are floating outside their specialty area.

• Floating should occur on an equitable basis except for charge nurse or lead nurse unless mutually agreeable.
• All nurses who are assigned to float to a regular unit, other than their hired unit(s)/area(s), except for Designated Float Nurses, shall receive one dollar fifty cents ($1.50) per hour float premium for all hours worked as a float to the other unit/area. (Art. 9.11). If you float to Northwest, you shall receive $4.00/hour float pay.
• Nurses may voluntarily float to UW NW, however, not to any other UW facilities such as Harborview or Valley. Please see the Voluntary Float Between UWMC-NW and Montlake Campuses MOU on page 74 of your CBA. You may be entitled to reimbursement for travel and parking.
• Nurses required to float shall receive orientation appropriate to the assignment.
• Nurses will be expected to perform all basic nursing functions but will not be required to perform tasks or procedures specifically applicable to the nursing unit for which they are not qualified or trained to perform.

These are just a few of the highlights in Article 10.2, 10.8, 11.7, and the Voluntary Float Between UWMC-NW and Montlake Campuses MOU of your WSNA CBA. There may be other language that applies. To read the entire floating language (recommended) you can view or download it on your local unit web page or by using the direct link below:

Questions or concerns? Please contact one of your officers or your Nurse Rep, Ed Zercher at ezercher@wsna.org or 206.575.7979 ext. 3022.