In this issue:

• WSNA welcomes SHMC’s new Nurse Rep! Katerina “Kitt” Ruchert BSN, RN
• A new department to SHMC, Bringing more nurses to WSNA. Gamma Knife MOU Vote! Nov. 6 from 5-6 pm in the Caritas Room on L3
• Seniority hours. Where are they? Genesis gives us a date.
• Workplace Violence update
• Registration is open for 2025 WSNA Lobby Day!

WSNA Welcomes SHMC’s New Nurse Rep! Katerina “Kitt” Ruchert BSN, RN CNRN, CCRN, SCRN

Hi everyone, I am excited to be part of your team. I have worked in several different clinical areas throughout the hospital for the last 27 years, but have also worked in Outpatient Surgical Clinics, Long-Term, and taught nursing clinicals at Yakima Valley College.  I have had the pleasure of meeting some of you and look forward to meeting the rest of you soon!

Jaclyn Smedley Nurse Representative has moved up to a leadership position within WSNA and would like to personally thank the nurses of Sacred Heart for a wonderful 15 years of collaboration!

A new department to SHMC, Bringing more nurses to WSNA. Gamma Knife MOU Vote! Nov. 6 from 5-6pm in the Caritas Room on L3

Providence Sacred Heart has added a new unit, which means more RNs for the bargaining unit, and greater specialized care. In order to add this new group to the WSNA contract, an MOU was bargained and its ready for a vote!

Come cast your vote, and see the new MOU for the Gamma Knife department

Nov. 6 from 5-6pm. 

L3 - SHMC; Caritas Conf Room (Caritas is on L3 but around the corner from the Leahy room)

Seniority hours. Where are they? Genesis gives us a date

Recently, WSNA heard that nurse could not view their seniority hours in Genesis, and that only a date was visible. We also heard that management on various units was using the date only for PTO approvals and scheduling changes. This is wrong and should not be happening, therefore WSNA sent and email to HR to inquire and resolve the issue. We have now learned that seniority hours ARE visible in Genesis. Each nurse should learn how to access the hours, track, and ensure the hours are being used for contract applications.

If you do not know how to find and access your seniority hours in Genesis, contact your Nurse Manager who can walk you through the process. If you feel your hours are not correct, please put in an HR ticket and let WSNA know if the issue is not resolved.

Workplace Violence update

We have heard concerns from nurses, on various floors, that they are being subjected to Workplace Violence, sometimes on a daily basis. This issue has been taken to the WSNA Conference Committee for resolution, and we have yet to see any positive changes made to resolve the reported conflicts. Management has told us they will continue to “work on it”. The WSNA officers have pointed out to management, Providence has a zero tolerance policy for Workplace Violence, but the reoccurrences of issues with no solutions, we believe, points to tolerance. For this reason, a grievance has been filed against Sacred Heart to demand they uphold their policy, and hold those expressing violence towards nurses and other health care workers accountable.

If your experiencing workplace violence issues on your floor, and you feel unheard by Management, send an email to Maurya Robinson WSNA Treasurer, WPV Committee Chair at treasurer.wsna.shmc@gmail.com

Registration is Open for 2025 WSNA Lobby Day!

Expertise is vital. Your perspective is trusted. Your impact is real.

Join us for the 42nd and you'll nurse lobby day for empowerment and advocacy, and shape the future of healthcare in our state

Morning: prepare to influence

• Get up to speed on critical issues for the 2025 legislative session
• Learn effective strategies for communicating with legislators
• Network with fellow nursing professionals

Afternoon: meet your legislators

• Engage in meaningful conversations with your districts elected officials
• Share your frontline experiences and insights
• Influence decisions on health care standards, patient safety, and public health
• As a nurse, you possess a unique and powerful voice. Legislators need your expertise to make informed decisions that affect patient care and public health. Don't miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of positive change in health care policy

WSNA’s annual Lobby Day event in Olympia will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Registration is required to attend and is now open! Local Unit Fund reimbursement is available for this event. Reach out to your Nurse Rep to inquire about the process should you want to attend. This event is for WSNA members only and registration will close on December 27, 2024.

Questions on this newsletter? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Kitt Ruchert at kruchert@wsna.org.