Washington Nurse - Summer 2011

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The Washington Nurse   What Would Florence Do?  Skagit Valley RNs Fight Back  NFN Assembly & Labor Academy

Volume 41, No 2  Summer 2011

WW FD ? What Would Florence Do?

Volume 41, No 2  Summer 2011 A Publication of the Washington State Nurses Association


Washington State Nurses Association

Leadership Conference 2011

September 25 – 27, 2011    Campbell's Resort, Chelan, WA    Agenda & Registration on Page 30


Contents Under the guise of solving these States’ financial woes, workers and their unions are systematically and intentionally being stripped of not only their hard fought gains in salaries, pensions and benefits, but also of their collective bargaining rights and in some cases, even their rights to free speech.

WWFD? What Would Florence Do?

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–  Summer 2011  –

U p F r o nt

W S N A N e ws

L a b o r R e l ati o n s

N u r s i n g P r a ct i c e

5 You Were Represented

14 A Report from the 2011 Convention

24 Cover Story: What Would Florence Do?

39 Nursing Practice News Briefs

14 Resolutions Passed

27 Skagit Valley RNs Fight Back

41 Continuing Competency

28 Rest Breaks Settlement with Evergreen Hospital

M e m b e r N e ws

5 Calendar 6 In Focus President's Letter 8 District News from KCNA and IENA 11 News Briefs 12 ANA News

20 Election Results

L e g i slat i v e A f fa i r s 21 What Happened During the 2011 Legislative Session

29 Report Card on Recent Labor Gains 30 Leadership Conference Agenda & Registration 34 NFN Labor Academy & Assembly

42 The New Members List 42 Honors & Recognitions 44 Membership News 46 In Memoriam

C o n t i n u i n g E d u c at i o n 48 Online CNE Update 50 Calendar

The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 3


W S N A B o ar d o f D i r e c t o rs & S t a f f

president Julia A. Weinberg, RN, Bow

Washington State Nurses Association

Vice President Tim Davis, MN, RN, Mt. Vernon

206.575.7979  •  206.575.1908 fax  •  wsna@wsna.org

575 Andover Park West, Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98188

Secretary / Treasurer Verlee Sutherlin, MEd, MSN, RN, Nine Mile Falls

Directors-at-Large Jeanne Avey, RN, Longview Ed Dolle, RN, Port Orchard Jennifer Graves, RN, MS, ARNP, Seattle Judi M. Lyons, RN, Ellensburg Pam Pasquale, MN, RN, BC, CNE, Wenatchee

Chair, Cabinet on Economic & General Welfare Martha Avey, RN, CCRN, Spokane Chair, Professional Nursing & Health Care Council Sharon Bradley, MSN, RN, Spokane Chair, Legislative & Health Policy CounciL Susan E. Jacobson, RN, CCRN, Yakima

Executive Director Judith A. Huntington, MN, RN Special Projects Manager Darlene Delgado, RN

Assistant Executive Director, Nursing Practice, Education & research Sally Watkins, PhD, MS, RN

Executive Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director Barbara Bergeron

Nursing Practice & Education SPECIALIST Karen A. Benson, Ph.D., MS, MN, RN

Bookkeeper Mary Reed

EDUCATION SPECIALIST Hilke Faber, MN, RN, FAAN

Assistant Executive Director, Governmental  Affairs and operations Anne Tan Piazza

Occupational & Environmental Health Specialist Karen R. Bowman, MN, RN, COHN-S

Contract lobbyist Tamara Warnke Senior Governmental Affairs Advisor Sofia Aragon, JD, BSN, RN Communications Specialist Lillie Cridland WEB & COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST Ben Tilden

Assistant Executive Director, Labor Relations Christine Himmelsbach, MN, RN Senior Labor Consultant Barbara E. Frye, BSN, RN Assistant Director, Labor Relations Margaret Conley, RN, ARNP General / Corporate Counsel Timothy Sears

Operations / Systems Administrator Duncan Taylor

General Counsel Laura Anderson Michael Sanderson

Membership Coordinator Mary Peterson

Paralegal Maria Pettit

Membership Processors Patrick McGraw Louise Hohbach

Nurse Representatives Debra Bessmer, BSN, RN Sara Frey, JD, BSN, RN Barbara Friesen, BSN, RN Carmen Garrison BSN, RN Kathi Landon, RN Judy Marken, BSN, RN Pat McClure, RN Jaclyn Perkins, BSN, RN Michele Rose, BSN, RN Hanna Welander, BSN, RN Heather Worbets, BSN, RN Ed Zercher, BSN, RN

Membership Processor / Clerical Support Kelly King Membership Processor / Administrative Assistant, Labor Relations Shastie Parker Administrative Assistant, Programs & Operations Hue Tran Communications Processor Kathryn MacLeod Receptionist / Mail Clerk Irene Mueller

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Nurse Organizers Jan Bussert, BSN, RN Tara Goode, BA, BSN, RN Mara Kieval, BSN, RN

www.wsna.org The Washington Nurse (ISSN# 0734-5666) newsmagazine is published quarterly by the Washington State Nurses Association. It is distributed as a benefit of membership to all WSNA members. A member rate of $10 per year is included in WSNA membership dues. Institutional subscription rate is $30 per year (Canada/ Mexico: US $36 per year; Foreign: US $49 per year). The information in this newsmagazine is for the benefit of WSNA members. WSNA is a multi-purpose, multifaceted organization. The Washington Nurse provides a forum for members of all specialties and interests to express their opinions. Opinions expressed are the responsibilities of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the officers or membership of WSNA, unless so stated. Copyright 2011, WSNA. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. Advertising Information on advertising rates may be obtained on the WSNA website (www.wsna.org) or by contacting the WSNA Business Agent at 206.575.7979.  Advertising deadlines are: March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. Advertising will be accepted on a first come, first served basis for preferred positions, pending space availability. WSNA reserves the right to reject advertising. Paid advertisements in The Washington Nurse do not necessarily reflect the endorsement of the WSNA Members, Staff or Organization.

Contributor Guidelines Article ideas and unsolicited manuscripts are welcome from WSNA members (300 word maximum). Please submit a typed copy and digital copy (Word 97/2003/2007), and include identified relevant photos, a biographical statement, your name, address and credentials. It is not the policy of WSNA to pay for articles or artwork.

A RTI C LE SUB M ISSION DE A DLINES Spring .......................................................................... February 15 Summer................................................................................. May 15 Fall .................................................................................... August 15 Winter...................................................................... November 15

Designed, edited & printed in the USA


You Were Represented ■  The WSNA staff and elected and appointed leaders represent your interests in a wide variety of meetings, coalitions, conferences and work groups throughout the year, anticipating and responding to the issues the membership has identified as priorities. In addition to many meetings with legislators, regulators, policy makers, other health care and nursing organizations and unions, the following represents a partial listing of the many places and meetings where you were represented during the months of February through July.

Upcoming Events – July – 28 Board / Cabinet / Councils Orientation - Cedarbrook, SeaTac, WA 29 Board of Directors Meeting - Tukwila, WA

– August –

• Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE) Policy / Advocacy Committee

• Nursing Students of Washington State (NSWS) Convention & Board meetings

4-5 NFN Board Meeting - Chicago, IL

• American Nurses Association (ANA) Board of Directors

• Pierce County Health Careers Council

11 Dues Structure Task Force - Tukwila, WA

• Pierce County Nurses Association Annual Banquet

• ANA Dues Evaluation Task Force

• Primary Care Coalition

12 Creating a Culture of Safety Workshop - Cedarbrook, SeaTac, WA

• ANA Nursing Practice Network

• Public Health Funding Roundtable

• ANA Congress on Nursing Practice & Economics

• Puget Sound Health Alliance & Consumer Engagement Team

• American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) annual conference

• Rebuilding Our Economic Future Coalition

• ARNP Coalition Meeting

• Revenue Coalition

• Clinical Nurse Specialists Stakeholders

• RWJF “IOM Report on Future of Nursing” WA-NAC planning

• Collaborative on a Healthy Environment (CHE-WA) • Department of Health Committee on Healthcare Acquired Infections

• Ruckelshaus Safe Staffing Steering Committee

• Faculty Compensation Workgroup for Master Plan for Education, WCN

• Toxic Free Legacy Coalition

• Health Care Assistant / Medical Assistant Scope of Practice Coalition • Health Care Access Coalition

• Shoreline School of Nursing Centennial Celebration • UW School of Nursing Soule Lecture & Nursing Recognition Dinner • Washington Center for Nursing (WCN) Board

• Health Care Without Harm

• WCN Faculty Compensation workgroup for Master Plan for Education

• Health Coalition for Children & Youth

• WCN Master Plan Transition to Practice workgroup

• Healthy Washington Coalition

• Washington Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility

• Office of the Insurance Commissioner Health Reform Realization Committee • King County Nurses Association Annual Meeting • Mary Mahoney Professional Nursing Organization Annual Meeting • 2011 National Federation of Nurses (NFN) Labor Academy • NFN National Executive Board & National Advisory Board • 2011 NFN National Federation Assembly • Northwest Organization of Nurse Executives (NWONE) Nursing Education & Practice Commission

• Washington Health Foundation Board Meeting • Washington Patient Safety Steering Committee & Medication Safety initiative • Washington State Labor Council Legislative Labor Caucus • Washington State Public Health Association Board meeting

13 Nurses Appreciation Night with the Seattle Storm - Key Arena, Seattle, WA

– September – 5 OFFICE CLOSED - Labor Day Observed 14-16 ANA Lobbyists Meeting - Washington, D.C. 16 CEARP Committee Meeting - Tukwila, WA 24 Cabinet on Economic and General Welfare Meeting - Chelan, WA 25-27 WSNA Leadership Conference - Chelan, WA 30 Fatigue Webinar

– October – 18 Continued Competency Workshop for PCNA - Jackson Hall, Tacoma, WA 27 ARNP Coalition Meeting

• Washington State Safe Patient Handling Steering Committee • Washington Toxics Coalition

• NWONE Spring Conference & Business Meeting

• Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) Safe Table Learning Collaborative Advisory Committee

• Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission Meetings (NCQAC)

• Washington State Nurses Foundation Board of Trustees meeting

• NCQAC Continuing Competency Subcommittee

• “We Are One” Labor Rally

• NCQAC Nursing Practice Advisory Group for Consistent Standards of Practice Subcommittee

“We Are One” Rally

2012 Events January 25-27 NDNQI Conference - Las Vegas, NV February 13 Nurse Legislative Day - Olympia, WA March 27 WSNA Hall of Fame - Seattle, WA

WSNA President Julia Weinberg represents nurses & WSNA at "We Are One" Labor Rally in Olympia. A huge chanting crowd of more than 7,000 swarmed the steps of the Washington State Capitol for the “We Are One” Labor Rally on Friday, April 8th, 2011. WSNA President, Julia Weinberg, RN addressed the crowd on behalf of all registered nurses. Julia spoke about the impacts of health care cuts on real people and the need to close tax loopholes for corporations. The event urged legislators to put people first by refocusing on creating jobs, demanding that powerful corporations share in the sacrifice as our nation struggles, and called for an end to the attacks on working people and their unions.

The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 5


In Focus ByJulia Weinberg, RN, WSNA President

“May we each and all of us Nurses be faithful to the end, remembering this, that no one Nurse stands alone.” ­—Florence Nightingale This statement is just as true today for nurses and nursing as it was during Florence Nightingale’s time in the late 1800’s.

We were so fortunate to have the Nursing Students of Washington State and many of their members join us at Convention. They too had their business meeting during Convention and elected a new slate of board and committee members. It was exciting for all of us to see their enthusiasm and feel the energy they brought into the room. These soon-to-be-practicing nurses are our future. They are the ones who will to continue to shape and guide our profession long after we’ve retired. If we set the right example now and provide our help and guidance, these young nurses will propel us even further forward towards our shared vision and goals as nurses.

As I begin my second term as your WSNA president, I have reflected on the past two years and thought about what the next two will hold. I feel that more than ever right now, nurses must be unified and stand firmly together. We cannot waver from our shared professional values, from the nursing ethics which help center us, and from the professional nursing standards As nurses, we need to speak up which guide us. and speak out for what we know is As nurses, we need to speak up and speak right. As the most trusted profession out for what we know is right. As the and the largest group of workers most trusted profession and the largest in the healthcare industry, it is our group of workers in the healthcare indusresponsibility to help define and try, it is our responsibility to help define

We also can’t forget that each of us has personal rights as workers—rights that need to be defended. Make no mistake, the big statewide labor conflicts we’re seeing across the country are rippling out into our workplaces. For one facility, that may mean that disciplines are on the rise and at another it may be unprecedented takeaways at the bargaining table. We and implement health reform. We must need to stand up for each other and stand implement health reform. lead our profession forward, be engaged together. If we let one nurse or local unit in community activities and policy deciget disrespected or devalued, that will sions, broaden access to healthcare and appropriate providers, trickle out from manager to manager and hospital to hospital. while also still doing our jobs to deliver excellent patient care in It affects us all. all settings. Of course, we’re not doing it alone; WSNA is workWSNA and the Cabinet on Economic & General Welfare have ing on the state and national level to make sure that we have a been hosting “unity” dinners across the state to bring nurses leading voice in reform. together and build the solidarity and unity we need right now. Convention this year was all about buying a ‘Ticket to Tomor- Our local bargaining units and the district nurses associations row’ and creating our map for nursing’s future. We need to put have joined in to support these events. Nurses are gathering to nurses in the driver’s seat for healthcare reform and also work talk about the issues they’re experiencing in their workplaces towards implementing the vision of the Institute of Medicine and to hear from WSNA about what’s going on in the state and ‘Future of Nursing’ report. We now have the research to prove nation. It has also been our pleasure to welcome Barbara Crane, that what nurses do at the bedside, and in all other practice set- President of the National Federation of Nurses, to at least four tings, really does make a measurable difference in the outcomes of these dinners so far (and WSNA is planning on doing more for patients. We have outcomes data recognizing the economic in the future). value that our profession brings to healthcare. When given the As President, I have been to many of these events and I really opportunity to practice to our highest level of training, nurses do appreciate being able to listen and talk with so many great can decrease care costs and improve outcomes for individual nurses. I’m learning about what is important to each of you, and patients and also communities, even globally. I also get to share what WSNA is working on. Of course, I also Our keynote speakers and break-out sessions helped to inform, remind everyone that each of us has a role and responsibility to educate and inspire us. We need to now take what we learned help in whatever way we can. together and share it with others and put it into practice. It’s When we all stand together, each doing our part, no matter how time for each of us to be the leaders of the nursing profession. big or small, our future is ours for the writing. That tomorrow begins today with WSNA. ■

6 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011


hurricane blizzard earthquake flood terrorist attack tornado volcano natural disaster Be prepared for the unexpected. Get a WSNA Emergency Preparedness Kit.

Standard Kit $34.99

First Responder Kit $49.99

8 Datrex Emergency Drinking Water Pouches

1 deck playing cards

16 Datrex Emergency Drinking Water Pouches

1 Whistle

1 Datrex packet of 9 food bars

1 pair leather palm gloves

1 Datrex packet of 18 food bars

1 deck playing cards

1 Thermal Blanket - 84” x 52”

1 sling bag

1 Thermal Blanket - 84” x 52”

1 pair leather palm gloves

2 Air-activated 12-hour body / hand warmers

1 hygiene pack (1 tissue packet, 3 moist towlettes, 1 biohazard wate bag, 1 n-95 dust mask, 2 sanitary napkins, 1 zip baggie)

2 Air-activated 12-hour body / hand warmers

1 sling bag

1 Hooded Poncho

1 hygiene pack (1 tissue packet, 3 moist towlettes, 1 biohazard wate bag, 1 n-95 dust mask, 2 sanitary napkins, 1 zip baggie)

1 Hooded Poncho 3 Trash Bags 2 12-hour light sticks 2 zip baggies 1 flashlight with 2 D cell batteries 1 Whistle

1 first aid pack (3 2”x”2 gauze pads, 1 5”x9” abdominal pad, 10 plastic strip bandages, 1 roll Kendall tape, 3 antiseptic towlettes, 2 antibiotic ointments, 1 pair vinyl gloves, 3 alcohol wipes)

3 Trash Bags 2 12-hour light sticks 2 zip baggies 1 flashlight with 2 D cell batteries 1 AM/FM radio

Billing Address

Shipping Address

___________________________________

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Name ________________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________

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1 first aid pack (3 2”x”2 gauze pads, 1 5”x9” abdominal pad, 10 plastic strip bandages, 1 roll Kendall tape, 3 antiseptic towlettes, 2 antibiotic ointments, 1 pair vinyl gloves, 3 alcohol wipes)

__________ Standard Kits ($34.99) __________ First Responder Kits ($49.99) __________ 9.50% sales tax _________ Total If Paying by Credit Card: ________________________________________________________________ Cardholder Name ________________________________________________________________ Cardholder Signature ________________________________________________________________ Card Number ________________________________________________________________ Card Expiration

Place your order by mail, phone or fax: Washington State Nurses Association • 575 Andover Park West, Suite 101 • Seattle, WA 98188 206.575.7979 phone • 206.575.1908 fax • wsna@wsna.org • www.wsna.org


District News

King County Nurses Association D is t ric t 2

K

ing County Nurses Association celebrated National Nurses Week with its Annual Meeting & Spring Banquet, May 12 at Shilshole Bay Beach Club. The evening was a festive success, with the awarding of the annual Shining Star Award and 11 nursing scholarships as well as the annual KCNA auction (100% of proceeds go to the Scholarship Program). Attendance was in the recordbreaking range at 135!

The winner of the 2011 Shining Star Award was Mary Fatica, RN, BSN, nurse recruiter at Public Health-Seattle & King County. Fatica has worked the past 34

years for Public Health, including 18 years in the King County detoxification facility and eight years in the King County jail. For the past 10 years as recruiter, she has been responsible for recruiting and hiring for Community Health Services, and providing outreach to schools and community sites. According to colleagues, Fatica consistently goes beyond the call of duty in her position. Amid state and county budget cuts, she has been a voice of calm and sanity as the workforce has been challenged by layoffs, reductions in force and reallocation of personnel. KCNA also awarded 11 scholarships of $2,000 each. Recipients this year included: Aleksandra Abney (Bellevue College), Ashley Grieve (University of Washington), Tegan Jones (Seattle Central Com-

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8 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011

munity College), Sumi Kim (University of Washington), Staci Nakanishi (Shoreline Community College), Christopher Nelson (Seattle Central Community College), Kristine Pascual (University of Washington), Hieu Pham (Washington State University), Carol Ridenhour (University of Washington-Bothell), Lan Tran (Bellevue College), and Maryam Yazdi (Seattle Pacific University). King County Nurses Association (KCNA) is committed to improving the health of communities in King County. Toward that end, KCNA makes available grants of $500–$1,000 to members for use in community-based projects designed to meet a current health need in King County. Two types of grants are available: 1. General Grant for a community-based health project (examples include health fairs for at-risk families, safety awareness programs, health education at senior centers, etc.), and 2. Elizabeth Thomas Memorial Grant, in special recognition of Ms. Thomas’ work in support of infants, children and families from diverse communities (examples include projects that support reduction in infant mortality, enhance health in children and youth, support homeless infants and children, etc.) To qualify for a grant, the project must: address a current health need in King County; involve at least one KCNA member; demonstrate collaboration with a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization; be implemented within a six-month time fame; and involve nursing students, RNs and other health care professionals, if possible. In addition, those applying for the Thomas Grant must show how their projects will support children and families from diverse communities.


District News

Inland Empire Nurses Association D is t ric t 4

“PTSD/Complex Trauma: What is it? Who has it? How well do you know that patient or coworker?” March 10th at Mukogawa Commons, IENA hosted Dinner and a CE workshop titled “PTSD/Complex Trauma: What is it? Who has it? How well do you know that patient or coworker?” Feedback was outstanding, and we are working on our event for next year. If you have ideas about a continuing education event you would like to attend, please email us at iena@aimcomm.net.

Health/Community Health Nurse Award. Check our website soon for photos. Nurses Week IENA participated in the Pride in Nursing Conference on May 6th. The conference was held at Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, and WSNA shared our exhibit booth. This event has consistently been well attended with over 200 participants. We were pleased to be involved again this year, celebrating the wonderful work nurses do every day! Did you see our Thank You to Spokane’s nurses in The Inlander? If not, then another Thank You for the wonderful work you do each and every day.

IENA Elections Unity Dinner IENA Elections will be held in July for April 21st was the Unity Dinner at the the IENA Board of Directors – please Davenport Hotel hosted by WSNA. join us! Your professional experience Several IENA board of directors were is invaluable in promoting the nursing in attendance and were awed by the profession and advocating for health dynamic speakers and sense of solidarand safety in our community. If you ity expressed by our community’s nurses. are interested in serving, please contact Stay involved with your Local Unit so that Administrative Secretary JoAnn Kaiser your voice can be heard in your workplace. at iena@aimcomm.net. Spring Scholarship and Awards Gala Legislative Reception April 26th at Mukogawa Commons, Plans are underway for our annual LegisIENA hosted the Spring Scholarship lative Reception this fall. We are looking and Awards Gala. Awards and scholarforward to an exciting evening and the ships were given to deserving nurses in opportunity to speak with local and state our community. The 2011 Award Winlegislators about healthcare issues in our ners were Aaron Tosch, RN, Excellence communities. The event this year will be in Nursing Practice; Kathleen Cope, RN, October 4th at the Red Lion Hotel at the BA, CNSN, Excellence in Nursing LeaderPark in the Skyline Ballroom. The event ship; and Anne Bailey, RN, BSN, CCRN, will be free, so plan on attending. Lifetime Achievement. Two scholarships of $1,000 each were granted to Please visit the Inland Empire Nurses Alison Houchin, BSN, RN, FNP-S, and Association on Facebook. Find out about Kathryn Ormsby, RN, MSN. To view upcoming events, read our comments photos of the event, please visit us at and learn more from our nursing links. http://spokanenurses.org. Be sure to check the website often for updated information, including educaWSNA Convention tional offerings and community events April 27th – 29th was the WSNA Convenhttp://spokanenurses.org. Come and join tion in Seattle. IENA Board members were us! in attendance, some for the first time! Congratulations to Peggy Slider, RN, MSN for receiving the 2011 Marguerite Cobb Public

Lessons Learned: Five Days of Hunger Challenge

A

s we all know, most nurses have a strong sense of sympathy or empathy for their patients who are facing challenges. But it’s a special kind of nurse who goes one step further, and decides to try walking a mile or two in their patients’ shoes. Six of this latter type of nurse signed up with King County Nurses Association (KCNA) in March to take the United Way Hunger Challenge. Not only would they spend five days attempting to eat healthily on a mere $7 a day, but they would blog about the experience, too!

The Premise United Way sponsors the Hunger Challenge on an annual basis. Designed to help people understand that living on food stamps isn’t easy, the Challenge requires participants to prepare healthful meals for themselves on just $7 per day (maximum food stamp benefit on Basic Food Program). Other ground rules apply: no free samples or food from family or friends; no using food, spices or condiments previously purchased, other than salt and pepper; eat three meals a day and include fresh produce and protein sources each day. The Players Of the many who took the Hunger Challenge in March, at least six were KCNA members. (Also, our Executive Director

The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 9


District News Sue Vermeulen took the Challenge, but me in a personal way of what it means to to do more for others. Through the lens she didn’t blog about it.) We want to thank limit choices … But for those with limited of this journey I can see that our society them here for their commitment, and com- incomes, it’s a full-time reality.”). There values the individual over the needs of mend them for their creativity. All six of were a multitude of practical blog entries the community.” these nurses are members of the KCNA – recipes shared, information about where “Bottom line, though food has a dollar Neighborhood Health Special Interest to find bargains, ideas about making a value, it also is entwined with lots of social Group, which is currently working to small amount of food go farther. stuff. With rising costs of food worldwide, address issues of homelessness in King From beginning to end, though, the blog- leveraging a limited budget will require County. gers had one thing in common (besides much skill. Many of my clients have been • Joey Shyloski and Diana Woodall spending all their “food stamp” money, doing this for years and could probably are certified rehabilitation nurses at that is); they remained open to the expe- teach me much about stretching the dolVirginia Mason Medical Center. rience, and to sharing what they learned lar. Now if we could just get organic stuff along the way. And they all felt they to be cheaper and fast food to be more • Andrew Grossman is an RN at the gained a deeper understanding of those nutritious...” Bailey Boushay House (residential among us who live hand to mouth, and care for people with AIDS) and Interested in taking the Challenge next sometimes go to bed hungry. Below are a a part-time student in the nurse pracyear? Keep an eye on the KCNA website, few of the reflections shared in daily blog titioner program at the University of or that of your local United Way, for more entries. To access the Hunger Challenge Washington. information. Then let us know what lesblogs in full, visit the KCNA website at sons you learn. And remember that no • Lara Pomernacki is a nurse at Virwww.kcnurses.org. matter how comfortable one might feel ginia Mason Medical Center. Why They Took the Challenge today, none of us is without risk. As one of • Rachel Allen is a student in the accel- “I am taking the Challenge to keep in touch the bloggers put it, “The fact is that many erated Family Nurse Practitioner with how many of my clients are living of us, no matter how financially stable, are program at Seattle University. and to remember the days when I strug- only a job loss or serious illness away from gled to make ends meet.” being in this position.” • Michelle Burton is a nurse case manager in the TB Control Program at “I chose to take the Hunger Challenge to Public Health-Seattle & King County. bring awareness to the difficulties many people face everyday. It's tough to imagThe Outcome ine having to choose between paying rent There were a number of common threads or an electric bill, or feeding yourself or in the participants’ blog entries. Not unexyour child.” pectedly, there were occasional feelings of deprivation (“Went to sleep thinking “I have witnessed the struggles of homeabout food. Woke up thinking about lessness firsthand from our clients at the food. When we talk about food insecu- clinic over the past two years, and proper rity, I think this is what we mean.”) and nutrition is a constant issue in this comphilosophical responses to going without munity. I wanted to try the Hunger Chal(“All of this does make me recognize the lenge to further my understanding of how difference between what I want and what difficult it can be to maintain one's physiI need. I am not hungry and I realize that cal health when working with a limited everything I think I want I really don't budget.” need, and this applies to everything in my What They Learned life.”) Blog entries ranged from the humor“I have a lot more empathy for those who ous (Aaron … says he eats his sandwich by have to live this way. But I have also 10 a.m., then he doesn't have much left.”) learned that I really don't need everything to the poignant (“I’ve known what it’s like I think I do. I can live more simply.” to have to make a choice between paying rent, staying warm, keeping lights on “Planning ahead, foregoing small luxuries… or eating. Taking the challenge reminds if I can do with less I can certainly afford 10 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011


Nursing News

UW School of Nursing Holds No. 1 Ranking for Unprecedented 27 Years

T

he University of Washington School of Nursing again has been ranked first among nursing schools in the country, according to rankings of 464 schools of nursing provided this week by U.S. News & World Report. The School of Nursing has the distinction of holding this ranking for 27 years without interruption and this year was joined in this top ranking by two privately funded universities, John Hopkins University and the University of Pennsylvania.

Several nursing specialty programs within the school have also held top positions since the U.S. News & World Report began these rankings. Of the eight nursing specialties included in the rankings, the UW School of Nursing this year again received a first-place ranking for the graduate program in community and public health nursing. This program prepares nurses for leadership roles in agencies and programs aimed at promoting and protecting health and preventing disease in vulnerable populations. Four other specialty options received rankings in the top 10, with adult nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner specialties ranked No. 2, pediatric nurse practitioner No. 3, and psychiatric/mental health clinical No. 9. The nurse midwifery specialty was ranked 11th among peer programs. The UW School of Nursing is also consistently among the nation’s top three schools of nursing in funded research, reflecting a strong commitment to finding better ways to improve health and nursing services. The rare combination of excellence in both education and research has contributed to a continuous record of exemplary contributions to the health of the people of Washington, the United States and beyond.

New Oral Health Promotion Cards for Nurses & Health Care Professionals The State Oral Health Program has published a new reference card for health care professionals to promote dental health. Dental caries is the most common chronic disease in the planet, and yet it is largely preventable. Research shows that poor oral health can impact other systemic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory disease. For this reason, health care professionals have become more aware of their important role in promoting oral health, and consequently general health, among children and adults. It was in response to several requests for basic talking points about oral health that these materials were developed. The Oral Health Promotion cards are designed for use in a variety of medical settings for women and children. They may be used by physicians, physician assistants, nurses, midwives, aides, pharmacists, nutritionists, social workers, and other health-related professionals. Soon, cards with messages for adults and seniors will also be available. â?ąâ?ą Please share these cards with your professional peers, and with your patients and clients. The cards are available online at http://doh.wa.gov/cfh/oralhealth/education/promocards.htm

The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 11


Nursing News RWJF Selects Regional 'Campaign for Action' Coalitions in 10 More States The Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation initiative designed "to ensure that the healthcare workforce can deliver high quality, patient-centered care to every American," announced the selection of 10 Regional Action Coalitions (RACs). The Campaign for Action (CFA) is focused on preparing health professionals to lead the change that will improve the healthcare system, according to RWJF. These longterm partnerships have been convened to move key healthcare workforce-related issues forward at the local, state and national levels. RACs function as a component of the campaign's field operations and are comprised of diverse groups of stakeholders from a variety of sectors. Their mission is focused on fostering inter-professional collaboration, strengthen nurse education and training, and increase participation of

nurses as leaders. RACs will further CFA by capturing best practices, determining research needs, tracking lessons learned and identifying replicable models. Long-term partnerships with the RACs have been convened to move key healthcare workforce-related issues forward at the local, state and national levels, according to RWJF. The following states join the New Jersey, New York, Michigan, Mississippi and California RACs, which initiated their activities last fall: Washington, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Virginia and Florida. ❱❱ Visit http://thefutureofnursing.org/ to learn more about the Campaign for Action's local, state and national efforts.

Add Your Photo to ‘The Art of Nursing: A Portrait of Thanks Mosaic Project’

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s the Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing’s Future looks forward to celebrating its 10th anniversary in February 2012, they are taking the opportunity to thank and recognize nurses for their continued dedication and passion with several new and exciting initiatives.

As part of this effort, the Campaign is launching The Art of Nursing: A Portrait of Thanks Mosaic Project to create a visual that depicts the impact nurses have had on the community over the last decade and which becomes a symbol of pride for nurses. Please join the Campaign by helping us create this historical image of nursing. You must be a nurse to submit a photo for this mosaic. The Campaign would love to as many nurses as possible join in this effort so please help spread the word. ❱❱ To submit your photo, simply visit http://campaignfornursing.com/portraitofthanks/

12 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011

ANA News ANA Offers Online Resources April 18th marked 10 years since the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act took effect. Yet too many health care workers are still injured by needles and other sharp devices on the job, exposing them to potentially deadly bloodborne pathogens. We can’t afford complacence—not when 80 percent to 90 percent of sharps injuries are preventable, according to the CDC. National data on sharps injuries are scarce because of a lack of a coordinated reporting system. However, Massachusetts provides a strong indication that renewed efforts are needed to reduce the number of preventable injuries. Massachusetts has had regulations since 2001 requiring that all acute and non-acute care hospitals licensed by the state report sharps injuries annually. The reports show more than 3,000 sharps injuries occurring annually between 2002 and 2008, with 56% involving devices that lacked engineered safety features. Visit the Safe Needles Save Lives page on ANA’s website at http://bit.ly/Needlestick for a Safe Needles toolkit and other resources on the needlestick law and OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens standard, including a video message from ANA President Karen A. Daley, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, and a webcast on the status of sharps safety from November 2010.

New Website Provides Straightforward Health Care Reform Information ANA is one of eight national organizations involved in a coalition effort to provide Americans with straightforward, consumer-focused information about the health care law. The new website, www.HealthCareandYou.org, which went live on March 1, 2011, is a tool for health care professionals and consumers to increase understanding about the Affordable Care Act. ANA President Daley participated in media outreach activities around the launch.


ANA News ANA Urges Support for Home Health Care Legislation

els that make the simple act of breathing hazardous to their health. Recently, at least 19 bills have been introduced in both chambers of Congress seeking to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from enforcing The Clean Air Act, citing negative impact on businesses and the economy. However, the EPA estimates the economic value of substantial air quality improvements realized by the year 2020 would be almost $2 trillion. A study released in April from Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE), and the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) showed that the direct and indirect costs of treating the estimated 24 million Americans with asthma exceeds $53 billion.

Ensures Better Patient Access To Care, Removes Barriers For Nurses As Qualified Providers ANA is appealing to lawmakers to support the “Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2011” (H.R. 2267, S. 227). This bipartisan legislation, just introduced in late June in the House by Reps. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) and Greg Walden (R-OR), allows Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to sign home health plans of care and certify Medicare patients for the home health benefit. APRNs are playing an increasing role in American health care delivery. Medicare has recognized the autonomous practice of APRNs for nearly two decades, and these health care professionals now coordinate the majority of skilled care to home health patients. However, a quirk in Medicare law has kept APRNs from signing home health plans of care and from certifying Medicare patients for the home health benefit. These delays in access to home health services inconvenience patients and their families and can result in increased cost to the Medicare system when patients are unnecessarily left in more expensive institutional settings.

ANA Testifies on The Clean Air Act and Its Impact on Public Health

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NA joined a group of health care professionals in June to testify before a Senate panel in support of The Clean Air Act. Delaware Nurses Association member Sarah Bucic, MSN, RN, was among the panelists invited to provide remarks to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ms. Bucic spoke to lawmakers about the positive impact The Clean Air Act has had on the public health, and the ongoing threat environmental pollutants pose to public health.

The Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act would address these problems by specifically allowing APRNs and physician assistants to certify home health services. ANA thanks Representatives Schwartz and Walden for their leadership on H.R. 2267 and urges all members of the House “The bottom line is pollution creates more to support APRNs and their home health patients,” Bucic testified. “From a nurspatients by cosponsoring the Home Health ing perspective, we are fixed in a state of Care Planning Improvement Act (H.R. keeping patients with chronic conditions like asthma and other pulmonary and car2267). diovascular conditions stabilized, when we More about ANA’s work on the home health all know that prevention is the only real, care issue, including the Senate companion effective and long-term treatment.” bill (S. 227) introduced by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Kent Conrad (D-ND), According to research from the American is online at www.rnaction.org/homehealth. Lung Association, 154 million people, more than half the nation, endure pollution lev-

ANA Joins Partnership for Patients New coalition supports safer, more reliable, less costly care ANA is proud to join Partnership for Patients, a coalition of hospitals, providers, patient advocates, employers and state and federal officials dedicated to creating a safer, higher quality health care system. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Director Donald Berwick announced the partnership at an event in April. The Partnership for Patients brings together leaders of major hospitals, employers, providers and patient advocacy groups, along with state and federal governments, in a shared effort to make hospital care safer, more reliable and less costly. The partnership’s initial goals are to increase efforts to prevent harm to patients in hospitals and to improve the continuity and effectiveness of care during transitions between care settings. ❱❱ To learn more about ANA’s work on improving quality, please visit www.ncnq.org.

The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 13


Report from 2011 Convention From April 27th — 29th, nurses took a trip to the future at the WSNA Biennial Convention. Speakers and breakout sessions focused on planning for the future and creating a roadmap for nursing. Poster sessions, vendors’ booths, socializing and networking filled the time between events on the busy schedule. As in previous years, the Nursing Students of Washington State joined WSNA during Convention, with students attending education sessions and also holding their own business meeting and elections. Pre-Convention events started with a special education session about social networking and the risks and benefits of online tools like Facebook and Twitter. This was followed in the afternoon by the Local Unit Council meeting and candidate forum. A wine and cheese reception followed, giving attendees a chance to network and catch up with friends. Convention officially kicked off on Thursday with a welcome from WSNA President Julia Weinberg and opening remarks from Karen Ballard, ANA First Vice President. The rest of the day was dedicated to conducting the official business of WSNA, including proposed Resolutions and final nominations for elected offices, during the General Assembly. The day was closed by Norma Lang, PhD, RN, FAAN who gave a keynote address about ‘Translating Research into Practice.’ The second day was packed with education and speakers. Attendees were able to choose different breakout sessions throughout the day. Karen Ballard spoke again towards the end of the day, emphasizing that each of us has work to do and must be “the driver.” Convention closed with a special roundtable dialogue session with each

Members Set WSNA's Course for Next Two Years

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uring the General Assembly of the 2011 Biennial WSNA Convention, members passed four resolutions and one main motion, all with overwhelming support. These resolutions commit WSNA to recruiting nurses and supporting the work of nurses serving on safety committees at their facilities, to conducting more outreach and education on disaster and emergency preparedness issues, and to educating more nurses about the hazards of working 12 hours shifts and possible alternative ways of scheduling shifts. The main motion recommits WSNA to a 2009 motion on the budget crisis which expresses strong support for key health care safety net programs like the Basic Health Plan and Maternity Support Services.

table developing a list of their recommendations for WSNA priorities and ideas for actions the next two years. As always, there was much to do and learn, but there was also time to celebrate and enjoy seeing old friends and meeting new ones. The highlight of Convention is always the WSNA Awards Reception celebrating and showcasing the 2011 WSNA Honorary Recognition Awards and the Professional Nursing & Health Care Council Awards recipients. Individuals and organizations were honored for their significant contributions to their fellow nurses, to their patients, to the public and to the nursing profession

14 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011

Main Motion Adopted by the 2011 General Assembly The WSNA General Assembly adopted, by a 2/3 vote, a main motion as follows: The General Assembly reaffirms the 2009 main motion regarding the Washington State Budget Crisis and requests that the WSNA Board of Directors and Staff to: 1. Continue our support for funding of key health safety net programs such as Basic Health Plan, Apple Health,

Public Health, and Maternal Support Services. 2. Continue efforts to develop communications and other strategies to increase awareness of RNs, stakeholders, policy makers and the public of the dangerous impact of the budget cuts, 3. Explore options for closing tax loopholes and increasing revenue especially during this budget crisis to fund essential health care programs,


Resolutions & Main Motion

4. Work with coalition partners on the implementation of federal health care reform and support for these key health safety net programs, and

chronic illness that could have been better managed or prevented. WSNA supports preserving the infrastructure of safety net programs including:

5. Advocate for health care access for all residents of Washington State.

• The Basic Health Plan: With the number of uninsured in Washington at a record high, the BHP is the only affordable option for Washington residents who are self-employed or whose employer does not offer coverage. • Apple Health for Kids: This program provides health coverage for low income children. Washington has secured millions in new, flexible federal funding because of the state’s leadership in providing health care for children. • Disability Lifeline: This is the only source of medical care for individuals who are unable to work and don’t have access to employer based insurance coverage or the individual market. • Community Health Centers: The community health center model is uniquely designed to address the health care needs of vulnerable and underserved people and communities. They are a cost effective alternative to emergency rooms and a safety net for the uninsured. • Interpreter Services: Enhancing health care access for 70,000 plus residents in Washington State. • Public Health: The public health nurses and public health departments are the center of a quality health care system and the most cost effective system for disease prevention and health improvement. • Maternity Support Services: The MSS program connects pregnant women with nursing care and other services with proven results that save money by reducing birth complications and long-term disabilities.

Rationale for the Main Motion As our economy has worsened, the need for public services increases. Yet the budget crisis continues to shrink the health care safety net. A poor economy places a greater importance on publicly funded programs. Washington State is facing a $5.1 billion budget deficit with Health and Human Services sustaining the largest percentage of funding reduction, resulting in severe impact on tens of thousands of people: • 60,000 people losing their coverage through Basic Health Plan (with 130,000 people on the current waiting list for BHP) • 120,000 people losing adult dental care • 20,000 people cut from chemical dependency, mental health, and medical services with the elimination of Disability Lifeline (formerly GA-U) • 16,000+ children could lose Apple Health care coverage • 80,000 people losing hearing and vision services • Over 50,000 women with high risk pregnancies losing maternity support services • 20,000 people losing physical, occupational and speech therapy • 14,000 people losing podiatry services • 2,600 people losing hospice care • 71,000 people losing access to interpreter services By denying these services, Washington tax payers stand to experience higher costs due to increased emergency room visits and more expensive treatment of

Em e r g e n cy R e s o lu ti o n 1

Support for Nurses Collective Bargaining and Free Speech Rights Whereas, recent and continuing legislative actions in several states and in Congress that seek to remove and/or significantly limit the collective bargaining and free speech rights of public employees, including registered nurses, appears to be developing into a national trend, and Whereas, in some instances, these actions have circumvented normal legislative and democratic processes, and Whereas, Registered Nurses bargain not only for wages, but as importantly, for improvements that address both patient safety and workplace safety, and W h e reas, the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses (2001) calls on the nursing profession to promote the health, welfare and safety of all people and to maintain a health care environment and employment conditions that are conducive to the provision of quality health care, and W h e reas, support for nurses’ rights to advocate through individual or collective action for improved working conditions and optimal patient care is consistent with the values of the profession, and Whereas, turning back the clock on established workplace rights will not solve the budget crisis faced by many states, and Whereas, WSNA is very concerned that this erosion of a balanced system of rights and obligations will impact the current and future rights of nurses – as health care professionals and employees – to advocate on behalf of their patients, families, communities, as well as themselves, and Whereas, WSNA is concerned about political actions taken to address state budgets that weaken the ability of all registered nurses, including publicly employed regThe Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 15


Resolutions & Main Motion

istered nurses, to freely advocate for the best work environment to deliver safe, quality nursing care services, Be it Therefore Resolved That the 2011 WSNA General Assembly requests that the WSNA Board of Directors and Staff take the following actions: 1. The WSNA Board of Directors issue a position statement consistent with WSNA’s long history of advocating on behalf of the economic and general welfare of nurses to support nurses’ right to advocate for workplace conditions that foster safe, quality care for patients, 2. Support nurses in other states in protecting their rights to bargain and advocate for workplace conditions, 3. Educate WSNA members and the public about the impact to patient and nurse safety as it relates to the nurses’ ability to bargain for working conditions, and 4. Work with other unions and coalition partners to protect nurses’ rights to bargain and advocate for safe, quality working conditions. Adopted: General Assembly  4/28/11

R e s o lu ti o n 1

Workplace Health & Safety Committee Engagement Whereas, Part of the Mission and Goals of the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) is to maintain and strengthen nursing’s role in client advocacy for consumer safety and quality health care, and Whereas, Many of the quality and safety initiatives identified by the National Quality Forum (NQF), the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals, and the CMS Never Events are directly related to nursing care activities, and W h e reas, Federal and State regulations and the Joint Commission accreditation program require healthcare institutions to establish facility-based Safety Committees to oversee the safe delivery and quality of patient care, and W h e reas, Registered Nurses, because of their expert knowledge, technical skills and patient care experience have an important role and much to contribute as active members of these facility-based Safety Committees (including, but not limited to facility-based patient safety

Education Highlights ❱❱ Skills and Ills of Using Social Media ❱❱ ANA – On the Way to Nursing’s Future ❱❱ Translating Research into Practice: Linking Quality, Safety, and Practice ❱❱ Mapping The Economic Value of Nursing

❱❱ Using Quality Dashboards to Guide Practice

❱❱ Team-based Healthcare Delivery: Improving Patient Outcomes

❱❱ Illuminating the Pathways Towards Nursing’s Future: Panel Presentation

❱❱ Retooling for a New Workforce: What does this Mean for Education, Transition to Practice, and Competencies?

❱❱ Changing Roles for Nurses in Health Systems and Communities

16 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011

committees, safe-patient handling committees and safe staffing committees), and Whereas, New evidenced-based research is emerging almost daily that supports the important role that nursing care contributes to the safety and quality of patient outcomes, Be it therefore resolved, That WSNA actively encourage, promote, and support WSNA members to actively seek and maintain positions on their workplace safety committees, and B e it fu rth e r resolv e d That WSNA staff work in collaboration with Local Unit leadership and other WSNA members to identify and develop a roster of registered nurses participating in Health and Safety committees at their place of work, and Be it further resolved That the WSNA Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety Committee (OEHSC) and staff develop strategies to assist WSNA members who serve on these Safety committees and provide them with additional education, research and networking opportunities and other skills to support their safety committee role, and Be it further resolved That WSNA members serving on these Committees be encouraged and supported in taking active leadership roles in improving policies and procedures such as infection control programs, safe patient handling, fatigue reduction, safe staffing, and disaster and emergency preparedness. Contact: Ed Dolle, Chair, Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety Committee (catspawz000@msn.com) Approved: Bylaws / Resolutions Committee  1/21/11 Approved: Board of Directors Executive Committee  2/18/11 Approved: Board of Directors  3/25/11 Adopted: General Assembly  4/28/11


Resolutions & Main Motion R e s o lu t i o n 2

Disaster & Emergency Preparedness Whereas, An online survey was sent out to the members of WSNA by the Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Committee in July 2010 to identify nurses responses to a variety of questions regarding their knowledge, experience, and personal/ professional preparedness plan to use in an emergency or disaster situation, and Whereas, Of the nurses surveyed, 89 percent were unaware that WSNA has a web page specifically devoted to emergency preparedness / disaster, and Whereas Of the nurses surveyed, 58 percent do not have a personal and/or family disaster preparedness plan in place, and Whereas, Of the nurses surveyed, 89 percent are not registered as a volunteer responder with official agencies, such as State of Washington’s Medical Research Corp (MRC), Washington State Health Volunteers in Emergency (WHAVE), American Red Cross (ARC) or other emergency agencies, and Whereas, Of the nurses surveyed, 73 percent felt they need more training in order to be prepared and to be able to respond during an emergency/disaster, and Whereas, Of the nurses surveyed, 81 percent stated they need more training in natural disaster preparation, especially for earthquakes; Therefore, be it resolved, That WSNA educate nurses using a wide variety of methods, about the WSNA web page specifically devoted to emergency preparedness/ disaster, and Be it further resolved, That WSNA develop and widely disseminate educational information and CE courses for nurses on how to develop a personal and/or family plan for disasters and emergencies, and

Be it further resolved, That WSNA promote registration as a volunteer responder with an official agency to all registered nursing specialties, via emails, fliers, website, and published links to these organizations, and Be it resolved That WSNA identify and review educational content of courses in emergency and disaster preparedness/ management by other groups, so that WSNA can endorse appropriate offerings that are in line with this strategic objective, and Be it resolved That WSNA will collaborate and partner with local agencies, such as DOH, MRC, Red Cross, WSHA and nursing organizations, such as the Washington State Emergency Nurses Association to develop awareness of their programs, and the need for nurses to register, and B e it fu rth e r resolv e d That the WSNA Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Committee, a sub-committee of the Professional Nursing and Health Care Council, continue its work making recommendations to the PNHCC and the Board of Directors as necessary on emergency and disaster preparedness needs and related advances in nursing practice in Washington State. Submitted on behalf of the WSNA Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Committee Authored: Jéaux Rinehart, RN, Chair, Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Committee (jeauxr@ hotmail.com) Approved: Bylaws / Resolutions Committee  1/21/11 Approved: Board of Directors Executive Committee  2/18/11 Approved: Board of Directors  3/25/11 Adopted: General Assembly  4/28/11

Photos ❚❚ Evelyn Street and Luella Vig Edwards ❚❚ Susan M Jacobson, Sally Baque, and Kathy Ormsby ❚❚ David Keepnews

The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 17


Resolutions & Main Motion R e s o lu ti o n 3

Twelve Hour Shifts Whereas, Twelve (12) hour shifts originated without the benefit of evidence-based research in the early 1980s as a temporary solution to a growing nursing shortage as well as the desire by practicing nurses to address work schedules and quality of life, and Whereas, Over the past 30 years, twelve hour shifts have been implemented extensively in acute and critical care areas where patient care needs are extremely complex and patients are at a higher risk for complications and are now the norm throughout all patient-care areas rather than the exception, and Whereas, Nursing is a profession requiring continuous high-level critical cognitive synthesis and physical exertion and the current demographics show an aging nursing workforce more prone to personal chronic conditions and workplace injury, and Whereas, All nurses, regardless of age, are affected by fatigue and long shifts, including mental and physical exhaustion, injuries and accidents and difficulty maintaining a reasonable work-life balance, and W h e reas, A growing body of research shows increasing evidence that twelve hour shifts may be a significant contributing cause to nurse fatigue and medical errors and/or nurse injury, and

Photos ❚❚ Peggy Schmidt ❚❚ LInda Tieman ❚❚ Peggy Slider

18 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011

Whereas, Industries such as railroad, aviation, trucking, and medical resident practice have identified long shifts and consecutive hours worked beyond ten as a source of accidents and error and worker injury resulting in these industries subsequently placing restrictions on shift length, consecutive hours of work and the numbers of days worked consecutively, and

Whereas, The healthcare industry has been slow to acknowledge the potential danger of long shifts, requiring legislative solutions to stop mandatory overtime and other fatigue related causes, and Whereas A severe nursing shortage is predicted for the upcoming years constituting a need to retain a healthy nursing workforce, Be it therefore resolved, That WSNA continue to provide education to nurses, employers, policy makers and the general public on the topic of twelve hour shifts and the relationship to patient and nurse safety, and Be it further resolved, That nurses participating in staffing committees be encouraged to explore staffing options to minimize the number of twelve hour shifts and number of twelve hour shift days worked in a row, and Be it further resolved That WSNA continue to broadly disseminate research outcome data associated with twelve hour shifts, and Be it further resolved, That the WSNA Professional Nursing and Health Care Council, the Cabinet on Economic and General Welfare and the Legislative and Health Policy Council begin a collaborative dialogue to strategize potential solutions that may be needed in contract language, legislation, and practice / policy statements supporting the eventual elimination of twelve hour shifts. Contact: Ed Dolle, Chair, Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety Committee (catspawz000@msn.com) Approved: Bylaws / Resolutions Committee  1/21/11 Approved: Board of Directors Executive Committee  2/18/11 Approved: Board of Directors  3/25/11 Adopted: General Assembly  4/28/11


Recognitions

WSNA Nightingale Tribute 2009 – 2011 Rosemarian "Rosie" Berni . . . . . . . . . . . Edmonds Eva Bowen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spokane W. Nadine Costanzo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spokane

WSNA HONORARY Recognition Awards Community Partner Recognition Washington State Department of Health

Professional Nursing & Health Care Council Awards Ethics and Human Rights Frankie T. Manning, RN

Danielle Enyeart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Longview Leslie "Michelle" Filipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Everett Nathalie D. Goemaere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seattle Janis Hagey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Moses Lake Mary Hampton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bellevue Kimberly S. Hiatt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seattle

Marguerite Cobb Public Health / Community Health Nurse

Nurse Educator of the Year Helen Kuebel, MS, RN

Peggy J. Slider, MN, BSN, PHN

Betty Jean Larsen Hoffman . . . . . . . . . . . Tacoma Steven Craig Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bow Barbara Burns McGrath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seattle Patricia J. Mulhern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seattle

Joanna Boatman Staff Nurse Leadership

Nurse Leadership and Management

Dawn D. Morrell, RN, CCRN

Jean Sullivan, RN

Honorary Recognition

Research

Rosa Franklin, RN

Marie-Annette Brown, PhD, RN, FAAN

ANA Honorary Membership

Best Practice

Ildaura Murillo-Rohde . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Panama Virginia Ellen Ortega . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yakima Elizabeth R. Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seattle Betty Jean Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seattle

WSNF Raises Money for Scholarships & More Throughout the two and a half day Convention, members and guests browsed the many exhibits and poster sessions and placed their bids on more than 100 exciting items donated for the Washington State Nurses Foundation’s (WSNF) silent auction and raffle. Items ranged from a weekend getaway, Nordstrom’s gift card, Seattle Storm gear, jewelry, wine & cheese baskets, and a number of handmade scarves.

Patty Hayes, RN, MN

Bonnie R. Cary, RN

Special Lifetime Achievement Beverly Smith

Thanks to the generosity of the WSNF’s many donors and friends, the auction and a special fundraising session at the Awards reception raised more than $10,195 to support the WSNF’s nursing scholarships and mini-grants programs. An additional $6,050 was raised during the WSNA Awards Banquet where attendees were asked to “Stand up for Deo” and donate to the Deo Little Scholarship Fund.

The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 19


Election Results

Elections were held by mail ballot following the 2011 Biennial Convention.

Board of Directors Leg Chair

President Julia A. Weinberg Dist 16, Bow

At-Large

E d Dolle Dist 17, Port Orchard

Patricia Di Egido Tobis Dist 2, Seattle

PNHCC Chair

Vice-President

Staff Nurse

Jeaux Rinehart Dist 2, Seattle

Susan E. Jacobson Dist 6, Yakima

Judi M. Lyons Dist 18, Ellensburg

At-Large

Sec / Treasurer

Staff Nurse

P at Lombard Dist 1, Bellingham

Verlee "Vee" Sutherlin Dist 4, Nine Mile Falls

Ann M. Whitley Dist 6, Yakima

At-Large

Cab Chair

J ennifer Graves Dist 2, Seattle

Kathy Ormsby Dist 4, Spokane

Cabinet on Economic & General Welfare Chairperson Kathy Ormsby Dist 4, Spokane

At-Large

At-Large

Peggy Slider Dist 4, Spokane

Jane Hill-Littlejohn Dist 2, Seattle

Vice-Chair

At-Large

At-Large

Julia Rose Barcott Dist 6, Yakima

Evelyn Street Dist 3, Olympia

Melissa Goldberg Dist 98, Ocean Beach

Sec / Treasurer

At-Large

At-Large

Sally Baque Dist 3, Olalla

John Tweedy Dist 16, Camano Island

Lorraine Bethay Dist 6, Yakima

At-Large

Susan M. Jacobson Dist 3, Tacoma

Professional Nursing & Health Care Council Four (4) additional members will be appointed to the PNHCC when the WSNA Board of Directors meets on July 29th. Chairperson

At-Large

Practice

Jeaux Rinehart Dist 2, Seattle

Bonnie B. Sandahl Dist 2, Lynnwood

Tim Davis Dist 16, Mt. Vernon

Administration

Education

Research

Kim Jo Ward Dist 4, Spokane

Sarah Bear Dist 16, Mt. Vernon

Barbara Innes Dist 2, Seattle

Ethics & Human Rights

Antwinett O. Lee Dist 2, Lynnwood

Legislative & Health Policy Council Three (3) additional members will be appointed to the Legislative Council when the WSNA Board of Directors meets on July 29th. Chairperson

At-Large

At-Large

At-Large

Ed Dolle Dist 17, Port Orchard

Lynnette Vehrs Dist 4, Spokane

Lyzz Caley Stewart Dist 4, Spokane

Patty Hayes Dist 13, Olympia

Sally Herman Dist 16, Mt. Vernon

D anielle Feist Dist 4, Spokane

Nominations / Search Committee Kim Armstrong Dist 3, Olalla

M uriel G. Softli, Dist 2, Seattle

E&GW Nominating / Search Committee Jon Olson Dist 10, Kelso

Betty Blondin Dist 3, Gig Harbor

Martha Goodall Dist 4, Mead

WSNA Director on NFN's National Executive Board (2012–2015) Marty Avey Dist 4, Spokane

Note: WSNA Delegates to the ANA House of Delegates will be announced in July when WSNA is notified by ANA about the exact number of representatives each state will bring to the June 2012 ANA House of Delegates .

Committee Appointments to Councils and Committees The WSNA Board of Directors will make additional appointments to the WSNA Councils and also appoint WSNA Committees on July 29th. Appointments are for two years, beginning August 1, 2011.

20 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011


Legislative Affairs

Public Health Funding • Local public health funding administered by the Department of Health sustained a 6.5% cut by the Governor. The legislature cut an additional $10 million to flexible funds.

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ballooning budget deficit and the 2010 elections overshadowed every decision the Legislature made this year. Adding to cuts made since 2009, the state budget deficit grew from 4.6 billion in December to 5.1 billion in March. To put this in perspective, if we eliminated all of the state’s four-year and community and technical colleges, it would only save about 3 billion dollars. The legislature preserved priority health services, but not without severe cuts.

• Maternity Support Services (MSS) provides healthcare to women at highest risk for poor pregnancy outcomes like low birth weight and prematurity. To avoid complete elimination by March 1st, as proposed in the Governor’s budget, WSNA advocated to maintain funding by organizing public health nurses Karson Bennett, Bobbi Merriman-McClain, and Darla Mosse to testify in support of MSS. WSNA also worked with key legislators to develop ways to effectively spend reduced MSS dollars. In the end, MSS was not eliminated, but sustained a 30%, $26 million reduction. • The Basic Health Plan (BHP) is the only option for low-income adults without access to employer-provided health insurance who cannot can afford private insurance. Proposed for elimination by the Governor, WSNA’s support of House Bills 1544 and 1312 to continue state funding assured some BHP enrollees coverage under a federal waiver until 2014 when implementation of the health insurance exchange will provide more options. Unfortunately, the final budget cuts BHP by $202.5 million and shrinks BHP to 34,000 enrollees by 2013. Now 150,000 people on the waiting list no longer have access to this program. • Apple Health for Kids provides health insurance and preventative coverage for low-income children. When the Governor and Legislature both proposed cuts that would impact the most vulnerable among enrolled children, WSNA supported House Bill 2003 which implemented new changes such as making sure additional premiums are placed on children who could most afford it. As a result, cuts to the program were reduced to $1.6 million. Other priority health programs that escaped elimination but still took drastic cuts include Disability Lifeline—the only source of medical care for individuals whose disability prevents them from working—which was cut by $116 million, and interpreter services for Medicaid patients—a requirement of federal law—was cut by $16 million with a new delivery system.

During the Regular Session Nursing Education and Special Session, WSNA • Next to healthcare, higher education saw the greatest reductions. Cuts to institutions of higher education totaled $535 million. worked to preserve essential will experience higher tuition costs and scarce financial aid. All higher government services in health • Students education institutions will raise tuition by at least 11-16%. Health professions scholand education. WSNA not only arships will not be available in 2011-2013 (saving the state $7.6 million); state need grants for low-income students are maintained by shifting funds from other finanadvocated to maintain these sercial aid sources; and the state committed to matching private contributions to the Opportunity Scholarship Program for low to middle-income students pursuing a vices, but also to generate new baccalaureate degree in high demand fields, such as nursing. revenue or revenue sources to • WSNA worked to maintain community colleges' ability to increase nursing faculty make up for budget gaps. funding using funds gained from salary and benefits costs savings resulting from faculty turn-over.

The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 21


Legislative Affairs

Bills WSNA Advocated For SHB 1304 (Jinkins)  Concerning the Administration of Drugs by Healthcare Assistants   Legislation passed in 2009 intended to allow only HCA categories C and E to administer certain over the counter drugs and diagnostic agents. A technical error gave all HCAs this ability and SHB 1304 corrects this error. SB 5005 (Keiser)  Concerning Exemptions from Immunization Washington State has the highest immunization exemption rates in the nation, endangering everyone in our communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. This legislation requires parents to consult with a health care provider, (which includes nurse practitioners), about the risks and benefits of immunization when considering exempting their child from vaccination requirements. SB 5594 (Kohl-Welles)  Regulating the Handling of Hazardous Drugs   This legislation requires the Department of Labor and Industries and Department of Health to establish regulations for the handling of antineoplastics and other hazardous drugs by health care personnel. Such drugs are linked to higher rates of illness and disease among nurses who are exposed to them on the job. HB 5394 (Keiser)  Primary Care Health Homes and Chronic Care Management outlines incentives to promote health homes in programs paid for with state funds such as Medicaid and the Basic Health Plan. ARNPs are defined as primary care providers and RNs as part of the health home team. SB 5445 (Keiser)  Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange   An operational exchange will be established in Washington State by 2014 as required by the federal health reform law. SB 1058 (Keiser)  Including Wound Care Management in Occupational Therapy establishes educational and training requirements, as well as provider oversight for safe patient care. HB 1493 (Pedersen)  Providing Transparency to the Health Professions Disciplinary Process revises the Uniform Disciplinary Act. Disciplining authorities such as the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission must promptly respond to inquiries regarding the status of a complaint against a provider, and provide a copy of the status of the complaint to both those making the inquiry and providers. HB 1290 (Green)  Concerning Mandatory Overtime for Certain Health Care Employees allows employees of the Depart of Corrections to catch up with the private sector and be protected from mandatory overtime. HB 1220 (Rolfes)  Regulating Insurance Rates requires insurance companies make public information about how they will spend dollars from raised premiums, for instance: how much will go to providing healthcare versus administration costs.

22 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011

Other Bills of Note HB 2069 (Cody)   Concerning Hospital Payments In the 2010 session, the Legislature passed HB 2956, (Hospital Safety Net Assessment), a bill imposing assessments (or tax) on most hospitals in order to increase the amount of federal match funds received. Proceeds are deposited in the Hospital Safety Net Assessment Fund, to be used for increases in hospital payments. Inpatient and outpatient payment rates were restored to June 30, 2009 levels; some hospitals received a 13 percent increase in rates for non-psychiatric inpatient services, and a 36.83 percent increase in rates for outpatient services; and $49 million per biennium from the Fund is used to pay hospitals, rather than general fund state dollars. With HB 2069, the inpatient rate increase is decreased from 13% to 3.96% and the outpatient rate increase is decreased from 36.83% to $27.25%. It also permits $200 million to be expended from the Fund in lieu of State General Fund payments to hospitals during 2011-13. The bill has passed the legislature and is awaiting the Governor’s signature.

SB 5960 (Keiser)  Concerning Medicaid Fraud   This bill would add to current state Medicaid fraud law and establishes the Medicaid Fraud False Claims Act which would allow the Attorney General to bring civil actions for certain violations of fraud and false claims provisions, and establishes civil penalties between $5,000-$10,000, and awards of treble damages for violations. It also establishes a right for private citizens to receive 15 to 25 percent of the proceeds from any successful action or settlement achieved by the Attorney General under the Act based upon information provided by the private citizen (qui tam). Medicaid theft is established as a class B felony with a fine up to $50,000. SB 5960 passed the Senate and the House Ways & Means Committee but died on the House floor calendar.


Legislative Affairs

SAVE TH E DATE FO R

N U RSE LE G I S LATI V E DAY! FE B R UARY 13, 2012

O LYM P IA, WA

Bobbi Merriman-McClain (left) and Karson Bennett (right) from Public Health - Seattle & King County visit Olympia with Sofia Aragon, WSNA Senior Governmental Affairs Advisor, to testify on the impact of cuts to Maternity Support Services.

SB 5307 (Kilmer)  Concerning Evaluating Military Training and Experience Towards Licensing Requirements in Medical Professions establishes for certain health professions the ability to apply military experience towards health professions training. This bill does not apply to Registered Nurses. SB 5636   University Center of North Puget Sound  Managed by WSU, the University Center of North Puget Sound will provide baccalaureate and graduate degrees, including nursing degrees, for North King, Snohomish, Island, and Skagit counties. SB 5073 (Kohl-Welles)  Concerning the Medical Use of Cannabis establishes a regulatory system for producing, processing, and dispensing cannabis intended for medical use; establishes protections from criminal liability and arrest from qualifying patients, designated providers, health care professionals, licensed producers, licensed processors, and licensed dispensers; and establishes a voluntary registry in which qualifying patients and designated providers may enroll and receive protection from arrest and prosecution. Governor Gregoire vetoed several sections, citing risk of federal prosecution of state employees. Therefore, the Departments of Health and Department of Agriculture will not be licensing commercial businesses that produce, process, or dispense cannabis. Furthermore, DOH will not be licensing dispensaries. ■

S LE GI SL ATIV E HE AR AB OUT W SN20A’12 PR IO RITI ES FO R LE AR N HO W YO U AN AD VO CATE FO RCAYON BE PATI ENTS AN D YO U R U R CO M M U N IT Y AT STATE LE VE L TH E AT TE N D HE AR IN GS M EE T W ITH YO U R ST ATE LE GI SL ATOR S HO U RS GE T CN E CO NTACTAR D TH AT CO U NT TO WATE’S N EW W AS HI NGTO N ST M PE TE NCY” “C ONTI N U IN G COFO R RE QU IR EM ENTS RE LI CE NS U RE GE T EN GA GE D AN D

GE T ACTI VE

The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 23


Cover Story

What Would Florence Do? Responding to Attacks on Public Employees and Collective Bargaining Rights  ❱ By Judy Huntington, MN, RN

No system can endure that does not march! — Florence Nightingale “Sick Nursing and Health Nursing,” Chicago, IL, 1893 ...And march we must! Or retreat we shall. There is no bunker; there are no sidelines for nursing today. The government and corporate America are at war against escalating health care costs… Remember Scutari. We must organize, unite, and go on the offensive. — Margretta M. Styles from ANA President’s Speech, Louisville, KY, 1988

M

ake no mistake about it, we are in one of the most dangerous transformational periods in the history of labor and healthcare in the United States. All across the country, in more than 26 states, the rights of public employees— including registered nurses—are under attack. Under the guise of solving these States’ financial woes, workers and their unions are systematically and intentionally being stripped of not only their hard fought gains in salaries, pensions and benefits, but also of their collective bargaining rights and in some cases, even

24 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011

their rights to free speech. In some states, the reach goes even further. Here are a few examples: • Wisconsin: The governor, Scott Walker, insisted on legislation revoking the collective bargaining rights of public employees—even after they agreed to the financial concessions he demanded to balance the state's budget. • New Jersey: The State Assembly just passed a bill that strips 500,000 public workers of their right to collectively bargain over their health care. • Maine: Governor LaPage ordered state workers to remove labor murals depicting labor history from the state department of labor building, contending that allowing the work to remain in the state labor department building sent a message that government is biased in favor of organized labor. Most recently, he signed legislation that loosens child labor restrictions and is now trying to remove monies from the state pension funds for the general fund. • Michigan: Governor Snyder got the State House and Senate to pass bills giving him "Emergency Management" powers including the ability to appoint a corporation or a CEO who can dissolve town governments or school boards, fire


The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 25


Cover Story elected officials, nullify any local law, and run the local governmental entity. That company then has the power to immediately declare all collective bargaining contracts null and void. And he is now using that law. Emergency managers are overseeing the Detroit schools and the city of Benton Harbor. Recall efforts are underway to try to remove the Governor from office. • Ohio: Governor Kasich signed into law S-5, a bill that stripped public employees—including 3,500 RNs represented by the Ohio Nurses Association—of their collective bargaining rights, and lawmakers are now trying to shred the state's minimum wage requirements. Not since the 1950s and the days of Senator Joseph McCarthy (R-WI), have we seen such wanton, wide-spread and unjust vilification of unions and select groups of citizens. The collapse of the housing market, widespread bank failures, the costly Wall Street bailouts and the budget shortfalls in our State governments are not the fault of our hard-working teachers, firefighters, nurses and other public employees. How is it that we (and we are all in this together) are now to blame for the financial ills of this country? How is it that we should endure not only unpaid furloughs, across-the-board salary cuts, and lack of respect at the bargaining table, while millions of dollars of corporate tax breaks go unchallenged and unchanged? And how does taking away workers' rights to negotiate for a fair and just contract, or—in the case of nurses—the right to advocate for safe patient staffing and other health and safety measures fix these financial problems? How do any of these changes solve or correct the financial misdeeds caused by others who are not held accountable? The answer is simple – they don’t. But this is what is happening... This is not about budgets and finances—it is about political ideals and breaking unions! We have to stop it now! It’s time for nurses to stand up, speak out and yes, if necessary, march! Leah Curtin, in a March 2011 blog post for American Nurse Today entitled “…And now shall we have class war in the USA” (http://goo.gl/Gc72y), may have said it best: “Unions were the drivers for wage-and-hours laws, child labor restrictions, abolishing sweatshops and raising concerns that eventually led to federal laws governing safety in the workplace. And for their trouble, union members were beaten, jailed and even killed. Unions in nursing – whether or not you are or ever have been a union member, helped raise your salary, get you paid vacations, helped get you benefits like health”... “Unions—public or private— are not the enemy. Unions—public or private—did not cause globalization, they are not the source of new ‘labor saving’ technologies that cost jobs, 26 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011

and certainly unions did not cause the Wall Street wrong-doing that led to the current recession (nor of the government bail-outs that saved corporations and banks from their own greed).” I urge each of you to read carefully and fully embrace the WSNA Emergency Resolution: “Support for Nurses Collective Bargaining and Free Speech Rights” (see page 15); the ANA Statement on “Registered Nurses Rights as Public Employees to Advocate for Themselves and Their Patients” (see box on opposite page) and the recent NFN Resolution: “Support for Nurses and Other Workers Collective Bargaining and Free Speech Rights” (page 36). Nurses—as the mostly highly respected group of professionals in the eyes of the public—need to step up and take the lead in our communities: at town meetings, at the bargaining table, on the picket lines, in political forums and in the legislature. We must stand together in unity of purpose and together, demand that any proposal to take away workers collective bargaining rights be stopped. As Gretta Styles further admonished us in 1988, “The realization is palpable and intense in each of us that we must organize, unite, close ranks, go on the offensive; in short, we advance or we retreat. There is no third choice! There will be no moratorium on this frenetic battlefield while we debate or decide or falter or divide. We must march, and march together and emerge triumphant; or we shall fall scattered to our knees while lost opportunity passes us by... No system can endure that does not march!” I challenge and encourage all nurses to become engaged in this fight—after all, that's what Florence would do! ■

Judy Huntington, MN, RN is the Executive Director of the Washington State Nurses Association.


Labor Relations

ANA Statement on Registered Nurses’ Rights as Public Employees to Advocate for Themselves and Patients The American Nurses Association (ANA), the largest professional nurses’ organization in the United States, stands with its member state nurses associations that advocate for the health care rights of all and the rights of registered nurses employed by the state or local government agencies to negotiate on issues related to working conditions. The Code of Ethics for Nurses (2001) calls on the nursing profession to promote the health, welfare and safety of all people and to maintain a health care environment and employment conditions that are conducive to the provision of quality health care. Support for nurses’ rights to advocate through individual or collective action for improved working conditions and optimal patient care is consistent with the values of the profession. Central to this commitment is a well-established system of checks and balances. It is this system that must be preserved. Turning back the clock on established workplace rights will not solve the budget crisis faced by many states. ANA is very concerned that this erosion of a balanced system of rights and obligations will impact the current and future rights of nurses—as health care professionals and employees—to advocate on behalf of their patients, families, communities, as well as themselves. ANA recognizes that the nation and states have to make difficult budget choices at this time. ANA encourages elected officials to be cautious about budget decisions that could adversely impact the health and welfare of our most vulnerable populations. While in the short term these budget cuts may seem financially prudent, in the long run they may end up costing the state more in resources, productivity and quality of life. ANA and its member state associations are concerned about political actions taken to address state budgets that weaken the ability of all registered nurses, including publicly employed registered nurses, to freely advocate for the best work environment to deliver nursing services. —April 5, 2011

Skagit Valley Hospital RNs Fight Back! During recent contract negotiations, nurses at Skagit Valley Hospital were under attack. Management proposed sweeping language changes and drastic pay cuts, demonstrating that they simply did not respect or value their nurses. WSNA and the Skagit Valley Local Unit fought back and stood up for a fair contract, rallying nurses and the community as a whole. As a result of this strength and unity, management came through with a fair proposal that will be voted on soon by the unit. Hospital Board Meeting Over 60 nurses turned out for the Skagit Valley Hospital Board of Commissioners meeting on Friday, May 27th. The room was overflowing with nurses wearing 'WSNA blue.' David Hari, a registered nurse at Skagit Valley Hospital and member of the contract negotiating team, spoke at the beginning of the meeting to update Commissioners on negotiations and the impact on RNs. David explained, "I truly enjoy my job and love feeling like I’m making a positive impact in this community. But I also need to feel like this hospital is a partner with me and values the skill and expertise I bring to my work. The unprecedented take-aways that the administration has proposed are troubling to me as an employee, as a nurse, and also as one of the taxpayers who funds this hospital. I urge you, in your roles as stewards of this hospital, to please take an active role in this issue. The nurses and the community need you to advocate for a fair contract that ensures we can continue serving the health care needs of Skagit Valley." Support & Strength at Unity Rally On June 2nd, over 250 people showed up at the Skagit County Courthouse to support Skagit Valley RNs. Community members, other labor organizations,

The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 27


Labor Relations

Landmark New Rest Breaks Settlement with Evergreen Hospital

W At the beginning of June, WSNA put up a billboard on Memorial Highway (just past Dunbar Road) to ask the community to Skagit Valley RNs. Matching window signs are also being distributed to area businesses and supporters.

nurses from other hospitals, and other Skagit Valley hospital employees showed up to stand with RNs and ask how they could help. Key issues at stake include the ability to take uninterrupted rest breaks, drastic wage cuts, and changes to overtime. Experienced nurses are seeing the worst of it with larger wage cuts and changes to seniority and layoff language. The rally was a huge success and truly showed the solidarity of Skagit Valley RNs and the community. At the next negotiation session, administration took some of the most dangerous and reckless proposals are off the table. They’ve dropped intermittent breaks and agreed to keep the joint statement in the contract committing management to working with nurses. Unity Dinner Skagit Valley RNs were joined by others in the surrounding area for a Unity Dinner on June 14th. Barbara Crane, our NFN President, encouraged nurses to stand together and fight off this attack. Nurses were able to share stories with each other and build support across different bargaining units. Amidst a flurry of action and activity, the evening was a chance to regroup and recharge together. Informational Picketing For 10 hours on June 21st, nurses took a stand to educate the public and each other about the issues at stake in this negotiation. Over 200 Skagit Valley nurses gathered throughout the day for informational picketing. They were joined by dozens of supporters from other hospitals, labor organizations, and more. While management has reacted to the strength and solidarity of Skagit Valley RNs by taking some of their most drastic proposals off the table, they continue to devalue and disrespect the work of their nurses. They’re seeking more and more power to change nurses’ schedules at will, move their shifts around, and work nurses overtime without paying any extra costs for it. It’s obvious that they’re looking for shortcuts and quick fixes rather than just simply creating adequate staffing plans. WSNA will continue to work towards a fair contract that recognizes the critical role registered nurses play in providing safe patient care. ■

28 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011

e are proud to announce that WSNA and Evergreen have entered into an agreement to settle WSNA’s lawsuit over missed rest breaks for nurses at Evergreen. This settlement not only includes payment for rest breaks missed in the past, but also sets forth sweeping changes to the way rest breaks are handled at Evergreen. WSNA and Evergreen have agreed to implement extensive changes in timekeeping, payroll, and policy that are designed to ensure that taking rest breaks is the norm, that nurses are appropriately staffed to allow for breaks and that nurses are properly compensated when rest breaks are missed.

WSNA initially filed suit in October 2010 out of concern that nurses were not receiving their full, uninterrupted rest and meal breaks. The lawsuit asserted that Evergreen Hospital was not paying its registered nurses the wages required when a missed rest break pushes a nurse into overtime hours. The lawsuit sought back pay and the implementation of a better record keeping policy moving forward. By imposing a financial penalty for failing to provide uninterrupted breaks, the goal of the lawsuit was to ensure that Evergreen was making breaks a priority. In 2010, WSNA won two landmark decisions for patient safety on the issue of missed breaks for registered nurses. The Spokane County Superior Court recently ruled that Sacred Heart Medical Center had violated the Minimum Wage Act by failing to pay nurses the wages they were owed for missed rest breaks and that the nature of a nurse’s work does not allow for anything but full, uninterrupted breaks. An arbitrator also ruled that the University of Washington Medical Center was required to provide nurses with full 15-minute breaks as agreed upon in the collective bargaining agreement. Both decisions conclude that a nurse’s rest break must be uninterrupted time away from work duties, not a series of small, intermittent breaks which consist of brief interruptions in work throughout the day. With the momentum of these decisions, WSNA filed four lawsuits at different hospitals across the state to address the issue of rest breaks. In addition to Evergreen, action was taken against Good Samaritan,


Labor Relations Tacoma General and Holy Family. Those three cases are still pending, but clearly change is underway and hospitals in the state are taking notice. Settlement Highlights • Evergreen will begin recording and paying for missed rest breaks, and will pay some back wages for its failure to pay for rest breaks in the past. • Evergreen managers will adopt procedures to assure nurses receive rest breaks and conduct training on the new rest break procedures including education about how many rest breaks a nurse is entitled to. • Evergreen will promptly investigate any accusation of retaliation against nurses for exercising their rights under this settlement.

• Evergreen will provide WSNA department-level data regarding missed rest breaks upon request. • Evergreen will compensate nurses for missed breaks, including compensation at overtime rate if the missed rest break extends beyond the normal work day. • Nurses will have new rights concerning interrupted breaks including the possibility of taking a new break or receiving payment for the interrupted rest break. Hospital administration has been working with WSNA on implementation of these changes. We are very pleased with their efforts to ensure that nurses feel safe to report missed rest breaks without fear of retaliation. We will continue to work closely with our nurses at Evergreen and management to ensure that this settlement creates the lasting changes we need. ■

• Evergreen will implement a new system to track missed breaks and provide a method for nurses to record missed breaks.

Labor Relations Report Card The current economic environment continues to make negotiations challenging for collective bargaining units throughout the state. WSNA negotiation teams, nurse representatives and attorneys have worked hard to achieve fair contracts, with continued positive results. Wage Increase

Cascade Medical Center

By participating in the collective bargaining process, WSNA members are standing together and continuing to demand strong contract language, that holds employers accountable.

We are proud of our successes and will continue to hold the line, fighting for fair and equitable contracts that promote the interests and welfare of WSNA-represented nurses.

Key Gains

1st Year

2%

●● 1% additional for nurses that choose pay in lieu

2nd Year

1%

3rd Year

1%

of benefits from 15% to 16% ●● Improved Holiday Pay language

Morton Hospital

1st Year

1.5%

●● Certification Pay - $1.00 per hour for first

●● Instructor Pay - will receive "regular pay"

March 1, 2011 - February 28, 2014

2nd Year

2%

3rd Year

2%

certification, additional $0.50 for additional certifications ●● Not required to work more than three 12 hr shifts in a row

including all entitled premium when conducting a training , class or inservice ●● Recognition for full parity

●● Premium increases for Relief Charge Nurse

●● Work hours will include voluntary low census

January 1, 2011 - September 30, 2013

Overlake Hospital Medical Center May 1, 2011 - April 30, 2014

United General Hospital June 1, 2011 - May 31, 2014

1st Year

1.75%

2nd Year

2%

3rd Year

2.25%

●● New BSN / MSN Premium of $1.00 per hour for

either or $2.00 per hour for both degrees.

●●"Pool Nurses" receive stipend of $25 for working

two 12 hr shifts in a month

hours ●● Improved Family Medical Leave, Domestic

Violence Leave and Military Spouse Language 1st Year

Parity

●● Parity during the summer of 2011

2nd Year

0.50%

●● Premium increases for House Charge Nurse,

●● Improved Family Medical Leave, and Military

3rd Year

1.50%

Second (evening) Shift Differential, Unit Charge Nurse, Certification/BSN permium, MSN Premium ●● Holiday substitution for another religious holiday date

●● Performance Evaluations every three years

Spouse Leave Language instead of annually ●● Increase in Maximun Annual Leave Accrual

Skyline Hospital

1st Year

2%

●● Premium increases for Scheduled Standby/

●● Redefined Overtime Language

February 1, 2010 - January 31, 2014

2nd Year

2%

●● Improved Family Medical Leave, and Military

3rd Year

2%

On-Call ●● Longevity increase of 2% for 20 years continuous and interrupted service.

Spouse Leave Language

The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 29


2011 Leadership Conference

Follow the Yellow Brick Road. We come from different backgrounds, and we have different experiences and perspectives. Yet our fight—our journey—is one that is shared. Join us! Together, we will achieve more.

30


Agenda Pre-Conference Saturday September 24, 2011 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. E&GW Cabinet (closed session)

Sunday September 25, 2011 9:00 a.m. – noon E&GW Cabinet (closed session) Noon – 1:30 p.m. Pre-registration 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Fall Local Unit Council All local unit officers, unit representatives and leaders are encouraged to attend.

Monday September 26, 2011 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Welcome and Introductions • Kathy Ormsby, BSN, RN  Chair, WSNA Cabinet on Economic & General Welfare • Christine Himmelsbach, MN, RN  WSNA Assistant Executive Director of Labor Relations 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. From Adversity to Advocacy: Creating Change Beyond the Bedside • Karen Daley, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN ANA President Karen Daley will share her incredible and courageous journey from adversity to her role as a nationally known advocate and President of the American Nurses Association. Karen was a staff nurse at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston from 1973 to 1999, when she left clinical practice due to a needle stick injury that resulted in her infection with HIV and hepatitis C. Since that time, while continuing her role as President of her state nurses association, she became actively engaged on a state and national level as an advocate for legislation to mandate use of safer needle devices in health care practice settings. 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Break

2 0 1 1 L e a d e rs h i p C o n f e r e nc e

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Your Union and More • Judy Huntington, MN, RN WSNA Executive Director Judy Huntington will inspire us to lead the way for registered nurses in Washington State and beyond. Hear how the multipurpose programs of WSNA interrelate with ANA, the NFN, WSNA districts and WSNA local units. We will discuss the key roles and programs of WSNA, learn about our top priorities and how you can be involved moving us into the future of our profession. 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Stress Management In A Hurry • Mary Dean, PhD, RN Professor, Brandman University and Evergreen State College; Clinical Faculty, University of Washington As nurses and leaders in our local units, we are faced daily with extreme professional and personal challenges. Join us for an amusing presentation providing tips on stress reduction actions you can start immediately. The presentation concludes with a closedeye exercise introducing “the relaxation response.” 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Lunch 1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Creating a Culture of Safety • Sally Watkins, PhD, RN WSNA Assistant Executive Director of Practice, Education & Research What constitutes a Patient Safety Culture? What do you do when something bad happens at work? Do you know about nurses being a "second victim"? What happens if you are reported to the Nursing Commission for an error? Should you carry personal professional liability insurance? 2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Break

3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Education Sessions A The Yin and the Yang of It • Jan Bussert, BSN, RN WSNA Nurse Organizer • Tara Goode, BA, BSN, RN WSNA Nurse Organizer • Mara Kieval, BSN, RN WSNA Nurse Organizer Review lessons learned and how to take advantage of the opportunities that abound in a well organized, highly functioning local unit. B Presenting Your Best! • Anne Tan Piazza  WSNA Assistant Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Operations • Lillie Cridland WSNA Communications Specialist Making personal presentations in a variety of situations to different audiences can be easy, and yes, even fun! Learn how to frame your message, capture your audience and achieve your goals. C Grievance Basics • Pat McClure, RN  WSNA Nurse Representative • Judy Marken, BSN, RN  WSNA Nurse Representative • Jaclyn Perkins, BSN, RN WSNA Nurse Representative Understand the rationale and benefit of early resolution of grievances. Learn why settling grievances and issues at the lowest level is always our goal. Learn to recognize a potential grievance and how to take appropriate and timely action to access the grievance procedure. Case studies will engage participants in active discussion, provide practical answers and reveal real–life applications of effective grievance handling. D Following the Yellow Brick Road: Labor Law Twist and Turns • Tim Sears  WSNA General / Corporate Counsel • Mike Sanderson  WSNA General Counsel • Laura Anderson  WSNA General Counsel To be an effective leader in your local unit, you must understand how labor law shapes and influences so much of what we do. Learn how we can best advance labor issues with respectful, time-tested and effective approaches. 4:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Break 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Reception No host bar, on the upper patio 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cabinet on E&GW Awards Banquet Theme: “Follow the Yellow Brick Road.” Join the fun by dressing as a favorite character from the Wizard of Oz. Red slippers, anyone?


Agenda

2 0 1 1 L e a d e rs h i p C o n f e r e nc e

Tuesday September 27, 2011

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Concurrent Sessions

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast

A Advanced Grievance Handling • Sara Frey, BSN, RN WSNA Nurse Representative

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Follow that Golden Path and Avoid the Road that Leads the Wrong Way • Lorraine Seidel, MA, RN Assistant Executive Director of Labor, New York State Nurses Association Lorraine Siedel will discuss concepts of forming and maintaining healthy professional relationships. Using the national bestselling book, “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team,” we will walk through the process of building and maintaining effective teams. 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Break

• Kathi Landon, RN  WSNA Nurse Representative Understand the importance of the “Duty of Fair Representation” and your role and responsibility in the process. Learn advanced skills in handling complex situations and accessing appropriate resources for optimal results. B Local Unit Officer Training • Margaret Conley RN, ARNP WSNA Assistant Director of Labor Relations Being a local unit officer is both an honor and huge commitment! Understand your role and responsibilities in order to be an exceptional leader and be at your best at all times. Learn how to access available resources and support so you can fulfill your duty of fair representation. C Continuous Bargaining • Ed Zercher BSN, RN WSNA Nurse Representative The nature of our work in the healthcare environment requires us to be exceptional leaders. Achieving success requires high attention to detail, innovative thinking and continuous bargaining. This program will define continuous bargaining, provide nurses with strategies, and cite opportunities where continuous bargaining can be incorporated into your everyday practices.

12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. The Voice of Labor • Lynne Dodson Secretary / Treasurer, Washington State Labor Council Unity builds strength! Hear how our partnership with the Washington State Labor Council gives us collective power, strengthening our voice in our communities and with elected officials and policymakers. 12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. The National Labor Scene • Barbara Crane, RN President, National Federation of Nurses We are honored to have NFN President Barbara Crane speak to us about the power and strength of registered nurses uniting together across the nation. Barbara brings an inspiring message of hope and endless possibilities achievable through our new national union. The NFN is committed to supporting, educating and assisting our members in achieving their economic, workplace and practice goals. Share in a celebration of our solidarity! 1:45 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. Adjourn

D Plant the Seed and Watch it Grow • Jan Bussert, BSN, RN  WSNA Nurse Organizer • Tara Goode, BA, BSN, RN WSNA Nurse Organizer • Mara Kieval, BSN, RN  WSNA Nurse Organizer Tips and tools for growing your own local unit leaders for the future. 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Lunch On the patio

8.5 CNE contact hours will be awarded for successful completion of this activity which requires attendance at the entire event and submission of a completed evaluation form.

The Washington State Nurses Association Continuing Nursing Education Provider Program (OH-231, 9/1/2012) is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Ohio Nurses Association (OBN-001-91), an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on accreditation.


Registration

2 0 1 1 L e a d e rs h i p C o n f e r e nc e

First Name _____________________________________________________________

Fees

Last Name _____________________________________________________________

Registration Fee: $300 (Does not include accomodations)

Informal First Name__________________________________________________

Additional guests at the Awards Banquet:

Credentials (RN, ARNP, etc) _________________________________________

¨ Yes, I will have _____________ guests at $30 each

Address ________________________________________________________________ City ______________________________________ State ________ Zip___________

Total Amount Due to WSNA: $______________________________

Email ___________________________________________________________________ Years of WSNA Membership ________________________________________ # of Leadership Conferences Previously Attended______________

Payment ¨ Check / Money Order payable to WSNA

T-Shirt Size Circle gender and size below

Women’s S M

¨ Visa / Mastercard

___________________ -_________________-__________________ -______________

Men’s

L XL 2XL 3XL 4XL

Education Sessions Session 1   Monday, 3:15 p.m. — 4:15 p.m. ¨ 1A The Yin and the Yang of It ¨ 1B Presenting Your Best! ¨ 1C Grievance Basics ¨ 1D Labor Law Twists and Turns Session 2   Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. — 11:00 a.m. ¨ 2A Advanced Grievance Handling ¨ 2B Local Unit Officer Training ¨ 2C Continuous Bargaining ¨ 2D Plant the Seed and Watch it Grow

Card Number

Exp Date ____________ /____________

_______________________________________________________________________ Cardholder’s Name _______________________________________________________________________ Cardholder’s Signature

¨ Local Unit My registration fee is to be paid by _______________________________________________________________________ Local Unit

_______________________________________________________________________ Signature of Local Unit Chair/Co-Chair

Return this form to WSNA by mail: 575 Andover Park West, Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98188 or by fax: 206.575.1908 For questions or special needs, call 206.575.7979 or email wsna@wsna.org.

Accommodations Campbell’s Resort is located in the city of Chelan, near the center of Washington State. It is 180 miles east of Seattle and 160 miles west of Spokane. Major airline service is available from Wenatchee, 36 miles south of Chelan. Contact Campbell’s at 800.553.8225 or 509.682.2561; reference Registration Group Code: WSNA. Accodations are not included in the Conference registration Fee and must be arranged separately.


Labor Relations

NFN’s 2nd Annual Labor Academy

N

ational Federation of Nurses’ Second Annual Labor Academy was an inspiring and educational exchange of stories, experiences and resources centered around the theme of nurses leading the way in reducing violence against nurses.

being beaten unconscious by a psychiat- Acuff, Chief of Staff and Assistant to the ric patient only weeks after becoming a President of the Utility Workers Union nurse. While traumatizing, the real vio- of America (UWUA), who emphasized lence she’s experienced came after she the need for worker solidarity to end the reported the assault and returned to work problem of violence. Check www.nfn.org to be shunned and blamed by co-workers for a video of his address. and administration. The forum provided nurses from every Held on May 14 & 15 in Chicago, the event During the two days, participants member state with the chance to connect, began with a powerful speaker panel fea- attended workshops on a variety of sub- share experiences and best practices and turing NFN members who have experi- jects including “Lateral Violence – Making learn tangible skills for making violence enced devastating violence while on a Career of Eating Our Young,” “Expos- against nurses a thing of the past. the job. Jéaux Rinehart discussed why ing the Real Dysfunctions of a Team” and violence against nurses goes so under- “Social Networking: A Union Worker’s reported and Kelly McLean brought the Rights and Responsibilities.” room to its feet in acknowledgement her The Academy ended with an excepbravery for telling her tragic story of tional, uplifting address from Stewart

WSNA Attendees at the NFN's National Labor Academy and National Federation Assembly WSNA thanks the delegates, alternate delegates and academy attendees for travelling to Chicago and giving their time and commitment to the values of WSNA and the NFN. WSNA’s delegates had two days of hard work at the NFN National Federation Assembly meeting and successfully moved several resolutions forward. They were accompanied by WSNA staff, WSNA Executive Director Judy Huntington and WSNA Assistant Executive Director of Labor Relations Christine Himmelsbach.

NFN Board of Directors

National Federation Assembly Delegates

Kim Armstrong – Tacoma General Hospital (Secretary)

Marty Avey* – Sacred Heart Medical Center Susan E. Jacobson – Yakima Regional Medical Center

Jeanne Avey – Peacehealth St. John Medical Center (Member) Kathi Ormsby – Sacred Heart Medical Center (Member)

Pamela Newsom* – Northwest Hospital Daniel Lee Brickert* – Southwest Washington Medical Center

NFN National Advisory Board

Betty Blondin* – Tacoma General Hospital Edna Cortez* – Seattle Children's Hospital

Julia Weinberg – Skagit Valley Hospital / WSNA President Marty Avey – Sacred Heart Medical Center Judy Huntington – WSNA Executive Director Christine Himmelsbach – WSNA Assistant Executive Director of Labor Relations

* Attended both NFA and NLA

34 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011

Alternate Delegates Ann Whitley* – Yakima Regional Medical Center Julia Barcott* – Yakima Regional Medical Center Sally Baque* – Tacoma General Hospital Jeaux Rinehart – Virginia Mason Medical Center (attending as a speaker for the NLA)

Additional National Labor Academy Attendees Marilyn Sterling – Good Samaritan Hospital Margaret Schmidt – Whidbey General Hospital Christie Riley – Southwest Washington Medical Center Travis Elmore – Southwest Washington Medical Center Christiana Natarajan – Overlake Hospital Medical Center Sue Dunn – Virginia Mason Medical Center Jane Hill-Littlejohn – Virginia Mason Medical Center Tracy Pullar – St Josephs Hospital DeaDea Brickert – Southwest Washington Medical Center


Labor Relations

Innaugual National Federation Assembly a Great Success

N

ational Federation of Nurses’ delegates and leadership came together in Chicago on May 16 and 17, 2011 for the first ever national convening convention of the National Federation Assembly (NFA). The NFA reaffirmed the NFN’s mission as a new type of union and collaborative voice for nurses, and set the stage for another two years of success.

discussed were inadequate staffing levels that lead to injury, burn out and mistakes as well as hostility and horizontal violence among nurses. Staffing and violence are NFN’s two national priorities and the NFN leadership expressed appreciation for the NFN delegates’ insight and suggestions about how to address these problems so that nurses and their patients can thrive.

The first day of the NFA meeting was kicked off with an inspirational address from Randi Weingarten, president of the 1.4 million-member American Federation of Teachers (AFT), about how labor, in solidarity, can defeat the national assault on workers’ rights. Following her keynote, the NFA began its business session by addressing several governance issues and following nominations from the floor and a candidates’ forum, the NFA delegates voted for the NFN vice-president and Treasurer officer positions. Re-elected to four year terms were Julie Schuff, Oregon, NFN vice-president and Rose Marie Martin, Ohio, NFN treasurer.

On day two, NFN passed several key resolutions that will shape NFN’s future priorities. These included resolutions to: reduce violence against nurses, implement the recommendations of the Institutes of Medicine report on the Future of Nursing, develop strategies to reduce fatigue and its implications on nurse and patient safety, develop a national, optimal safe staffing model, and support nurses and other workers’ free speech and collective bargaining rights.

Following an evening dinner and tour of historic labor sites in Chicago, NFN hosted a listening session with delegates about how NFN can best meet the needs of NFN members. Key themes

You are invited to visit the NFN web page at www.nfn.org and the NFN Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/nfn.org to view additional photos of the Assembly and join the conversation about these important topics. The next meeting of the NFA will be in May of 2013.

Resolutions from the NFN Assembly The following resolutions were passed at the NFN Assembly. These excerpts show the resolves for each resolution. For the full text of resolutions, visit www.nfn.org.

Resolution 1: Violence Against Nurses - Employer Responsibilities

about the dangers of violence in health care settings, and

Introduced by: NYSNA & WSNA – Sweeney / McLean Resolution

Be It Further Resolved That federal and local legislation be introduced requiring that employers provide such benefits for nurses who are victims of violence in the workplace, sustaining permanent injury; and

Now Be It Therefore Resolved That in furtherance of the NFN’s “Stop violence against nurses” agenda, the NFN encourage every NLO to include in its model bargaining proposals, contract language that requires employers to provide salary, retirement and health benefits for nurses who through violence have become victims of brutal attacks resulting in permanent loss or injury; and Be It Further Resolved That NFN Develop communications and other strategies to increase awareness of RNs, managers, employers, policy makers and the public

Be It Further Resolved That NFN support the efforts of the NLOs to assure compliance with existing laws and regulations including those that require front-line worker involvement in development, implementation and evaluation of workplace violence prevention plans.

Resolution 2: Implementation of the Recommendations from the IOM Report "The Future of Nursing" Introduced by: Oregon Nurses Association Now Be It Therefore Resolved, That the NFN and its member organizations place a priority on supporting and implementing the recommendations from the Institute of Medicine report titled “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change: Advancing Health,” providing they are not in conflict with the principles of collective bargaining.

The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 35


Labor Relations

Resolution 3: Implications of Fatigue on Patient and Nurse Safety Introduced by: WSNA Be It Therefore Resolved, That NFN develop communications and other strategies to increase awareness of RNs, managers, employers, policy makers and the public of the dangerous impact of fatigue on patient, nurse and public safety, and be it further Resolved, That NFN support state efforts to advocate for legislative and regulatory remedies to ensure that nurses and the public are protected from the adverse effects of fatigue.

Resolution 4: Support for Nurses and Other Workers’ Collective Bargaining and Free Speech Rights Introduced by: WSNA Be It Therefore, Resolved That the 2011 NFN Federation Assembly Requests that the NFN Board of Directors and

36 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011

Staff take the following actions:

Resolution 5: Safe Staffing Levels

1. That NFN issue a position statement consistent with NFN’s strong commitment in support of nurses’ and other worker’s rights to form and operate unions and collectively bargain economic and general welfare, and practice environment improvement that foster safe, quality care for patients,

Introduced by: WSNA

2. Support Nurses at the state level in protecting their rights to bargain and advocate for workplace conditions, 3. Educate NFN members and the public about the impact to patient and nurse safety as it relates to the nurses’ ability to bargain for working conditions, and 4. Work with the NFN NLOs, other unions and coalition partners to protect nurses’ rights to bargain and advocate for safe, quality working conditions.

Be It Therefore Resolved, That the NFN draft and sponsor safe staffing legislation and / or other safe staffing public policies to safeguard the public and support Registered Nurses and assistive nursing personnel, and Be It Further Resolved, That these public policies require each institution that provides care for patients to include direct care registered nurses in the development and ongoing evaluation of facility specific staffing plans, and Be It Further Resolved, That NFN support efforts of its NLOs in the enforcement of existing and the advocacy of new nurse staffing laws and / or regulations.


Labor Relations

Report from the NFN Labor Academy & NFN Assembly By Julia Weinberg, RN

In May, I attended the NFN second Labor Academy and our first NFN National Labor Assembly in Chicago. What a packed week of activity!

One of the key speakers, Kelly, was a new grad nurse from New York just six months out of nursing school. She shared with us her story of being brutally beaten by a patient in the psych unit of her hospital. Her story was compelling and indicated of how much work we as a profession and as a society need to do to stop the violence and the “hurting” being done to nurses. WSNA’s own Jéaux Rineheart also spoke about some of the reasons why violence is underreported. However, we also need to acknowledge that this pain is not only being inflicted by patients and the public but also by each other in what they call ‘lateral violence.’ We all know the phase “nurses eat their young.” How sad that this still goes on after so much has been written and so many stories have been shared. Bullying in the workplace is not okay. It has got to stop. It is not ok that someone bullies another or that a group bullies one or many. Sometimes, it’s just because they are the new nurse or maybe the person is perceived as a kind of threat in some distorted way. There is so much literature about how destructive this is. JCAHO has taken a stand on disruptive behavior and clearly stated that it should not be tolerated. There has even been state and national legislation introduced to try and address this issue in the workplace. Though unsuccessful so far, I suspect we’ll continue to see possible legislative solutions to this problem. We have seen new legislation over the past few years around cyber bullying, our kids, and bullying in schools. Sadly, this is not just a problem with kids, it affects adults too. The NFN is taking violence in the workplace on as one of its primary platforms for our national union. WSNA is proud of the

Photo courtesy of Casey Campbell

The theme this year at the academy focused on violence in the workplace. We had breakout sessions which focused on education and providing tools for how to address this very prevalent issue in our workplace settings.

NFN’s leadership on this issue and how we have been addressing this in our State too. After the Labor Academy concluded, I quickly switched gears to represent Washington and our nurses at the first-ever NFN assembly. We all can be proud of our elected delegates from Washington and the work that was packed into just a few days. WSNA introduced three resolutions, partnered with New York to jointly introduce one resolution, and strongly supported Oregon’s resolution on the Future of Nursing recommendations. The work that was done by all the representatives from each state has laid out the roadmap for NFN’s work for years to come. During these days of learning and advocating, I was reminded how important it is for us to be a member of the NFN, our national nurses union, that is giving us excellent leadership and visibility on national labor issues and is working tirelessly to defend our rights to collectively bargain. Together, the NFN, WSNA and greater labor community must speak out and march together as we fight for and support all workers rights. Those who want to be represented for collective bargaining should have that right. Nobody should be able to take that right away with the stroke of a pen or back room deals. I urge you to stay in touch with NFN by visiting the NFN website at www.nfn.org and find out more about the exciting work we’re all doing. ■

Julia Weinberg, RN is the President of the Washington State Nurses Association.

The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 37


NFN News Katheren Koehn Joins National Federation of Nurses as CEO

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he National Federation of Nurses is pleased to announce the appointment of our new CEO, Katheren Koehn, RN, who comes to NFN with more than 35 years of experience as a staff nurse and national nursing leader.

She spent most of her career as a staff nurse at Abbott Northwestern Hospital’s spine unit in Minneapolis, MN, and was also a nurse leader, serving as hospital-wide co-chair for the nurses collective bargaining unit during her tenure at the hospital. Working both directly with patients and through her union and association membership to improve the quality of health care delivery in her hospital and beyond is how Kathi is best known—taking knowledge and best practices from one area of work to better inform and improve the other. Throughout her career, Kathi has been an active leader-participant in over 50 different nursing or healthcare-related boards, commissions, committees and task groups. She has also held several elected and appointed positions representing the interests of RNs and the field of nursing in multiple venues including the American Nurses Association, American Nurses Credentialing Center, and served as the president of the Minnesota Nurses Association.

“Second, as front-line health providers, nurses see the impact of the country’s failed health care system every single day, from the clinic exam room to the hospital bed to the emergency department. This dual perspective gives nurses insight into our health care system that can, and should, be useful to national and local policy makers.” NFN is working diligently to ensure nurses are at the table in these discussions so that we improve health care delivery and patient care.

NFN Wants to Connect With You The NFN has launched its first e-newsletter, a quarterly update from your national union on nursing and labor news and issues that affect your workplace and patient care. To view the e-newsletter or to sign up to receive it quarterly, visit http://www.nfn. org/e-newsletter. ❱❱ You can also join the conversation and movement on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nfn.org

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Kathi brings open communication and a collaborative focus to NFN, as we work with nurses to shape the national dialogue around important issues such as workplace violence against nurses and the impact of healthcare reform on nurses.

One year ago, President Obama signed legislation into law that radically transformed our health care system to serve more Americans, reduce costs, increase quality and provide preventive care. Central to this legislation is increasing the role of nurses in health care delivery, which is supported by a recent Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) report that found nurses are key to the success of a 21st century health care system and need to play a prominent role in developing the policies and procedures that will make reform a reality. National Federation of Nurses agrees. “Nurses have a dual perspective on health reform, making us a uniquely qualified and essential voice in this debate. First, as employees in one of the nation’s highest-injury professions, we place tremendous value on our own health insurance coverage and the importance of quality care and access,” said Barbara Crane, RN.

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38 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011

• Comfortable rapport while interfacing with residents, families and other facility staff • Ability to provide constructive criticism to staff and to identify opportunities for professional development • Strong organization skills • Long-term care experience is preferred • Meets all health requirements required by law

We also have LPN and CNA jobs. 19 Centers in WA, ID and OR. Visit www.extendicareus.com/jobs.aspx for more information. WHY EXTENDICARE?

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Nursing Practice News

New WSNA Publications

D

uring the WSNA Convention we experienced a wonderful introduction to a new WSNA White Paper: Mapping the Economic Value of Nursing authored by David Keepnews, PhD, JD, RN, FAAN. This paper discusses the importance of defining and quantifying the economic value that nursing represents given cost and value are increasing considerations in health care and in decisions by policymakers, payers, and health system executives.

The paper provides historical context, reviews hospital payment methodologies and implications for nurse staffing, and reviews advanced practice nursing reimbursement design. The paper offers recommendations for consideration by nurses, nursing organizations, and others emphasizing the importance for nurses to be knowledgeable about the economic and policy issues that drive decisions relating to their practice. Dr. Keepnews emphasizes the need for nurses to have at least a basic understanding of health policy and financing as well a current knowledge regarding the link between nursing and outcomes of care. He also references the need to remain grounded in the human values on which the profession is based. Additionally, Robin Fleming, PhD, RN, NCSN, recently finalized another White Paper for WSNA: Imperative Issues Affecting School Nurse Practice – Implications for the Future of School Nursing and Child Health in Washington State. This paper was written with a great deal of collaboration with School Nurses of Washington (SNOW), nurses from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and several individual school nurses from across

the state. With the rising population of students with special health care needs and the increased numbers of immigrant, poor, and ethnic minority children, numerous issues are facing our schools and school nurses. The rising need for services, yet growing conflicts created by reduced support for school nurses, prompted the need for WSNA to provide increased attention to school nursing professionals. Recommendations are made for school nurses, employers, higher education, research and possible policy development. The third paper developed is a Position Paper on Public Health and Public Health Nursing. This was authored by David Reyes, MN, MPH, RN, Health Services Administrator in the Community Health Services Division with King County Department of Public Health. Interviews were also conducted by Peggy Slider, MSN, RN, with key public health nursing leaders familiar with the numerous public health issues in Washington State including Betty Bekemeier, PhD, MPH, RN; Bobbie Berkowitz, PhD, RN, FAAN; Elaine Conley, MPH, RN; Willma Elmore, MN, RN; Janet Primomo, PhD, RN; Marni Storey, MS, ARNP. Recommendations are made for public health policy and public health nursing to include education, practice and research strategies. All three of these papers will become available on the WSNA website this summer and will be utilized for future initiatives established and prioritized by WSNA Board of Directors. We are extremely appreciative of this work completed by each author, and recognize each paper as a key foundational document for our future work in these areas.

NCQAC appoints new Nursing Practice Advisory Group to the “Consistent Standards of Practice” Subcommittee

T

he Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission uses Nursing Practice Advisory Groups to identify optimal practice in all practice settings across the state, gather information and inform the members of the Consistent Standards of Practice Sub-Committee on current practice standards. The Sub-committee drafts interpretive statements to be considered by the NCQAC, and recommendations from the Consistent Standards of Practice Sub-committee (CSPS) must be approved by the NCQAC before taking effect. The Nursing Practice Advisory Group consists of no more than fifteen appointed members. Initially, roughly one-half serve a one year term with the other members serving for two years. Subsequent terms are for two years. The members are unpaid volunteers. The primary appointment criterion shall be expertise in practice settings to be reviewed. Membership also includes two NCQAC commission members.

Nursing Practice Advisory Group Members • Edwina Dorsey • Janice Doyle • Gregory Fletcher • Theresa Hutchinson • Sarah Jablonski • Mary Lara • Janis Miller • Candice Mohar • Mary Nametka • Sheryl O’Connor Taylor • Charlotte Pinegar • Pamela Shull • William Swarens • Margaret Voelker • Sally Watkins

The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 39


Nursing Practice News Licensure of CNSs as Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners

“Advanced registered nursing practice” means the performance of the acts of a registered nurse and the performance of an expanded role in providing health care services as recognized by the medical and nursing professions, the scope of which is defined by rule by the commission.

T

he Washington State Nurses Association in conjunction with the Washington State Affiliate of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) formally petitioned the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (NCQAC) to write rules to license qualified Clinical Nurse Specialists as Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners in Washington State. This request was to promote implementation of the APRN Consensus Model which includes CNSs as advanced practice registered nurses. Both organizations believe the language in RCW 18.79.050 gives NCQAC the authority to write rules regarding recognition of CNSs:

WSNA believes that licensure of CNSs as ARNPs in our state would promote access to care for patients. It would further nursing’s role in health reform and be in alignment with the APRN Consensus Model as well as the Institute of Medicine’s report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. WSNA believes appropriately qualified CNSs need to be able to work to the full extent of their education and expertise.

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40 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011

New WSNA Pocket Cards Promoting Nurse & Patient Safety Safe Patient Handling WSNA, in conjunction with Washington State University, received a grant to support increasing staff nurse awareness of safe patient handling. As part of this grant a pocket card was designed identifying steps nurses should take to ensure a “SAFE LIFT”: • Space, i.e. obstacle free, adequate to perform tasks • Assess the patients physical & mental condition, care needs, ability to assist, & weight bearing capability in relation to lift or transfer activity • Function • Equipment • Lift team • Injury prevention • Frequency • Training Pocket cards were pilot tested at three facilities with feedback provided via a survey monkey questionnaire. Additionally, a Safe Patient Handing learning module is being added to our on-line CNE program. We want to thank Butch DeCastro, PhD, RN for his assistance in developing both of these tools. Masks and Respirators As we learned during the last two flu seasons, there is a great deal of confusion regarding the various types of masks that nurses need to utilize in the clinical environment. We developed another pocket card illustrating “when and where” masks and / or respirators should be used. Comparisons between masks and respirators are provided as well as information about appropriate fit and user seal testing. We hope you will find this tool useful—and not just during flu season!


Continuing Competency WSNA Presents at American Organization of Nurse Executives Annual Meeting Sally Watkins, WSNA Assistant Executive Director of Nursing Practice, Education, and Research and Ann E. Rogers, Professor, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, presented “Preventing Staff Nurse Fatigue and Improving Patient Safety: The Role of the Nurse Leader” at the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) 44th Annual Meeting & Exposition held April 13-16, 2011 in San Diego, California. The purpose of this presentation was to explore the evidence regarding work schedules, fatigue and error and how these relate to patient safety and quality of care. Additionally, this presentation highlighted Washington State’s experience with proposed legislation addressing rest and meals breaks as a fatigue countermeasure. The session was well attended with approximately 250 in attendance including nurse executives, nurse managers, and other nurse leaders.

Have the new NCQAC continuing competency requirements got you thinking about changing your license to “inactive status”? Many retired and soon-to-retire nurses are asking whether they should change their license to inactive status. Here are some things to consider first: 1. If you change the status of your license now to inactive status, should you decide to return to active status, you will be required to complete an approved refresher course if in an inactive status for more than three years. 2. The Nursing Commission is actively exploring the development of a “retired status” which might not include the need to complete a refresher course to return to active status. This status may also have a reduced licensure fee as compared to the current active status fee. NCQAC plans to draft a decision package for the 2012 Legislative Session describing this proposed licensure status.

5. Should you still decide you want to change the status of your license to inactive status, please be aware that the WSNA Board will be discussing the WSNA membership implications and proposing a membership category recognition for those in inactive status. We are also working on this with ANA because this is becoming an issue nationally as well.

If you have additional questions, please contact WSNA at: swatkins@wsna.org

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3. NCQAC audits do not begin until 2014, so you could wait until immediately prior to your birthday in 2014 to make this status change. Thus, you have some time to make this decision. You might find that meeting these requirements is less overwhelming than first perceived. 4. There are MANY ways to meet the required 531 practice hours and the 45 continuing education hours. Examples for practice hours include: participating in a volunteer mission project, caring for an elderly parent, doing blood pressure screenings for a church, working as a volunteer emergency responder through the Red Cross, Medical Reserve Corp, or other such organization. Education can be found in a variety of ways including taking courses through WSNA’s on-line CNE program which is now free. As a reminder, WSNA has developed some log sheets to help you track your hours. These can be found on our web page at: www.wsna.org/ Topics/Continuing-Competency/

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The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 41


New Members Whatcom Anderson, Meggan Benson, Tara Camilo, Wiljen Cartier, Julia Clark, Kristi Clauer, Emily De Castro, Katherine Devero, Renea Eastman, Julie Eusebio, Imelda Finley-Rieg, Meredith Fritz, Linda Gill, Leah Gulliford, Keri Hazenberg, Jennifer Jewell, Lisa Kamplain, Penny Kennedy, Matthew Lemoine, Kathryn Lidbeck, Julie Magnuson, Pamela Marty, Rebecca Menard, Christopher Moreland, Shawnee Morgan, Tammie Nickol, Tessa Nieuwendorp, Lisa Perry, Krista Raiguel, Joseph Reed, Diana Reiser, Janine Rodriguez, Marguerite Rotz, Lorene Sami, Doreen Smith, Katharine Stamps, Althea Stewart, Deborah Stommes, Kateri Talbot, Janie Ann Tracy, Misty Weatherby, Dana Zibulewsky, Allison Zuck, Amanda King Agas, Mariane Alex, Julie Allard, Juli Amoranto, Johanna Anderson, Andrea Anderson, Krista Aramde, Feven Arnold, Dama Ashton, Kathryn Auxier, Pamela Bagoyo, Mallory

Barrett, Shauni Bechtold, Melanie Beck, Mary Bekemeier, Betty Belisle-Williamson, Stephanie Bennett, Aubri Berg, Brandy Berin, Lauren Birk, Lianne Blanchard, Mary Bodmer, Emily Botnaro, Laura Bowen, Melissa Bowman, Aaron Boyd, Frank Brady, Andrea Bressler, Sharlene Briones, Marie Antonette Brydges, Suzanne Burmeister, Jennifer Burphy, Thomas Buss, Julie Cahoj, Tonya Campbell, Loretta Camps, Shalon Cantoni, Shana Cathers, Sharon Cesmat, Nicole Chaffee, Sara Chalupnik, Kelly Ching, Ka Ka Choe, Eun Chrietzberg, Isela Christie, Madeline Chung, Kwija Coffey, Melissa Compton, Cinthia Cook, Derek Copeland, Breanna Corkill, Brandi Creek, Danielle Crocker, Courtney Crowell, Charles Curtis, Sylva Daniel, Kimberley Darone, Elaine Davis, Catherine Davis, Melissa Deccio, Lynda Deuel, Patrice Diederich, Katherine Dietz, Terri Dimaunahan-Subol, Maria Dollries, Nicole Dwyer, Teresa Elder, Sharon Elliff, Casara Etienne, Emerald

42 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011

Falaminiano, Lilibeth Feldkamp, Kristin Ferguson, Kelsey Foster, Lisa Franco, Teresa Frei, Brenda Frisinger, Marissa Frye, Ariel Gallagher, Angela Germak, Sandra Girtz, Jeffrey Gleich, Jean Gordanier, Christin Gossard, Aja Gourd-Ascencio, Katie Griffin, Alexandria Griffin, Leah Guerrero Hobart, Lisa Gum, Aries Haberlach, Lisa Haft, Carolyn Hallen, Sally Hankins, Emily Hanser, Susan Harper, Mi Young Hausmann, Jeniffer Hella, Kimberly Hiatt, Kimberly Higgins, Laura Hingle, Charlotte Holst, Juli Honell, Barbara Hoover, Natasha Howard, Kathryn Hoyle, Mark Hsueh, Tanfu Hudgens, Jennifer Hug, Laura Huson, Carolyn Hynes, Lea Jadraque, Arneel Johnson, Marisa Jones, Grace Jones, Jsamieka Jones, Kelsey Kacoroski, Sawako Kay, Lilyan Kelley, Meghan Keszler, Mitchell Khastou, Leyla Kim, Elizabeth King, Cristin Kinyanjui, Eunice Kirk, Ashli Kirkby, Andrea Klein, Aaron Kline, Grace Klinefelter, Carines-Mae

Knoblock, Emily Kocer, Colleen Kost, Marjorie Kovacs, Megan Krasney, Fern Kruzner-Rowe, Sherri Kush, Danyel Kuyper, Jennifer Laing, Ann Lane, Rachel Larcher, Lisa Laurel, Jesusa Lee, Laurie Lee, Mee Leggese, Hassen Lennon, Jessamy Lespagnol, Desiree Lor, Mou Lougheed, Merna Lowers, Duane Maricich, Marisa Martin, Hannah Martineau, Yvonne Mauermann, Heather Mccall, Phoebe Mcevoy-Ng, Valerie Mcguire, Sarah Mcinnis, Annika Mckeever, Heidi Mckenzie, Shana Mckinney, Dawn Mcneely, Debra Means, Katelyn Meek, Ashley Mercer, Shannon Merrell, Scott Merte, Debra Michael, Laura Miller, Diane Mills, Jessica Mitchell, Tiffany Mogg, Amanda Mohamud, Hodo Monillas, Rashell Montgomery-Linn, Brenda Morris, Jennifer Motto, Rachel Motzer, Sandra Nedomatsky PeterContesse, Kat Ness, Dorlane Ness, Nicole Niernberg, Laurie Norby, Angela Okon, Ofiong Olsen, Pamela Pabla, Sukhdev Palma, Candice

Judith Silk Recognized for Dedication to Public Health with Snohomish Health District To celebrate National Public Health Week, the Washington State Public Health Association recognized public health professionals, nominated by their peers, for their outstanding work to improve public health. This year awards were given in the American Public Health Association theme, individual, school, business, community and statewide categories. Judith Silk, RN, a WSNA member from the Snohomish Health District, earned an Honorable Mention as an individual WSPHA Health Champion. She was recognized for her thirtysix year of service in Snohomish County as a public health nurse including work in the public schools, in Communicable Disease management, in Tuberculosis, in management, and with Children with Special Healthcare Needs.

Karen Bowman Recognized for Leadership in Environmental Health WSNA’s own Karen Bowman was recognized by Health Care Without Harm as the 2011 recipient of the Charlotte Brody Award. Karen was selected for the honor because of her extensive contributions to environmental health nursing through clinical practice, public education, political advocacy, publication, and professional service. Karen precepts nursing and environmental science students from Seattle University, Western Washington University and the University of Washington in environmental health policy and advocacy, giving students “hands-on” experience in the legislative arena where they learn that one person can actually make a difference. Her position as the Environmental Health Specialist for the Washington State Nurses Association strategically places her in a prime position to advocate for State and Federal environmental health legislation such as the PBDE Ban, the


Honors & Recognitions is also a member of the International Medical Surgical Response Team and volunteered in the Indonesian tsunami relief effort, providing care on the U.S. Navy’s USNS Mercy hospital ship. Rebecca also participated in the Seattle Homeless Flu Vaccine campaign and helped set up flu vaccine and tuberculosis testing clinics in Seattle area fire stations for the area’s homeless population. Rebecca traveled to Washington D.C. to accept the award and participate in a series of celebratory events including meetings with Legislators to educate them about the demands of the job. In addition to being a WSNA member, she also serves as an officer in her Local Unit. Sofia Aragon with other members of the Racial Equity Team at the Children's Alliance “Voices for Children” Awards.

Children’s Safe Product Act, and the Safe Baby Bottle Act banning Bisphenol A in Washington State. She is currently advocating for Federal Legislation reforming the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976. The Charlotte Brody Award was created in 2006 by HCWH and The Luminary Project in honor of a lifelong advocate for social change, a registered nurse and activist who has spent her life making the world a safer place for people around the world. The award recognizes a nurse’s endeavors towards “brilliantly lighting the way to a healthier environment and inspiring other nurses to do the same.”

Julie Strandquist of Spokane Advocates for Safe Chemicals Act on Capitol Hill As part of the advocacy efforts for the Safe Chemicals Act, Spokane nurse and WSNA member Julie Strandquist, RN, EH was flown to Washington D.C. by the Washington Toxics Coalition

Julie Strandquist at the Safer Chemicals Healthy Families event with Marla Weston, ANA CEO.

WSNA Staff Member Sofia Aragon Honored for Advocacy to advocate and meet with other leaders, including Jessica Alba. While in D.C., Julie attended the Safer Chemicals Healthy Families event along with ANA CEO Marla Weston. Julie was one of a contingent of moms who traveled to support the ‘Safe Chemicals Act of 2011’ out of concern for the health effects of chemical exposure. The ‘Safe Chemicals Act of 2011’ seeks to overhaul and update the 35-year old Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) which is our nation’s main law aimed at regulating chemicals used in everyday products. By updating TSCA, Congress can create the foundation for a sound and comprehensive chemicals policy that protects public health and the environment.

Rebecca Ainley from AMR Honored with ‘Star of Life’ Award Rebecca Ainley, RN/CCT, was recognized with the ‘Star of Life’ Award by the American Ambulance Association for her work with American Medical Response. Rebecca was praised as an excellent nurse and extraordinary volunteer. As a member of In-The-Field Ministries she is helping build a medical clinic in Uganda and has hosted several fund-raisers to raise money for the clinic. She plans to travel to Uganda in 18 months to offer her services in the country. She

Sofia Aragon, WSNA Senior Governmental Affairs Advisor, was recognized at the annual Children’s Alliance Voices for Children Awards on June 7th. As a core member of the Racial Equity Team (RET) during the 2011 legislative session, Sofia’s role was to raise awareness about the impact legislation can have on health disparities and access to care for communities of color. Other RET’s core members are Heather Villanueva, SEIU 775; John Paul Chaisson-Cardenas and Fatima Morales, Washington Community Action Network; Toby Guevin, OneAmerica; Shankar Narayan, ACLU of Washington; Teresa Mosqueda, Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO; Bernal Baca, American Federation of Teachers; and Tony Lee, Statewide Poverty Action Network. The Children’s Alliance is a statewide public policy advocacy organization that works at the state and federal level to ensure that all children have what they need to thrive. About 125 organizations make up the organizational members of the Children’s Alliance and over 9,000 individuals are members of the online Children’s Action Network.

The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 43


Membership EFT — An Easy Way to Pay Your Membership Dues By Patrick McGraw

A

growing number of members of the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) are paying membership dues via electronic funds transfer, or “EFT.”

EFT is a monthly alternative to annual or installment dues payments. A member who would prefer to pay dues via EFT would submit a blank voided check along with a membership application or change of information card to WSNA. Ease of use is a principal reason for payment of dues via EFT. A member would only need to contact the membership department about changes to their checking account or employment status and would only receive an invoice if dues could not be deducted from a checking account. Any changes to the checking account that would be used for the payment of EFT dues should be reported to the WSNA membership department immediately. A modification to the amount of dues withdrawn or cancellation of the authorization must be made in writing to WSNA twenty (20) days prior to the deduction date. The other dues payment options available to WSNA members at this time are payroll deduction, annual and installment payment. If you would like to pay your dues via EFT, please download a membership application or change of information card from the membership page of the WSNA Web site. The membership page can be found at www.wsna.org/Membership/. Please contact the membership department for any questions related to your dues by phone at 206.575.7979, by fax at 206.838.3099 or by email at membership@wsna.org.

44 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011

New Members Paul, Tara Paul, Tida Peterson, Janelle Pitkin, Emily Powers, Cassie Rankin, Julie Reed, Dennis Richmon, Brenna Riley, Jennifer Risdon, Linda Robison, Tamara Roe, Melissa Roepke, Roberta Roque, Christine Rothrock, Leslie Rotimi, Josephine Royer, Aimee Saeki, Noriko Saint, Barbara Sale, Caitlin Samonte, Jennifer Samuelson, Tauni Santiago Martinez, Tana Scanlan, John Shoop, Rebeca Skaria, Jashley Skelton, Kate Slater, Cynthia Smith, Ann Smyly, Nikole Solbakken, Lauren Solberg, Mary Stack, Wynn Stamper, Serena Stasi, Betty Stephen-Selby, Heather Stevens, Andrea Stiles, Erik Stoner, Jeffrey Stumpf, Adrian Sween, Stephanie Sweetman, Mary Patricia Taylor, Mary Rebecca Teets, Erica Themelis, Alexis Thiesen, Amanda Turnberg, Hilary Umali, Florida Vafaee Nia, Bita Van Vactor, Patricia Vanwormer, Lydia Vesco, Deanna Walker, Caitlin Wambua, Scolastica Wanjala, Butsina Ward, Susan Washburn, Kathy Weed, Angela

Welch, Rosemary Whalen, Leeann Wiley, Madeline Williams, Michele Wilson, Blair Wilson, Carol Wilson, Cynthia Wirjono, Fenny Wood, Adrienne Xiang, Lu Yasumura, Minako Yoshida, Minori Young, Laura Yuson, Emily Pierce Acusa, May Aflatooni, Jasmine Ahlenajafi, Ali Alex-Andersen, Lou Anderson, Constance Anderson, Hannah Ardmore, Farah Austin, Emily Avichouser, Kathrine Axtell, Melissa Bailey, Meghan Bartlett, Janice Bellisario, Eun Berger, Maryanne Bergman, Jessica Bigelow, Karen Bird, Robyn Blitch, Debbie Boddie, Chantal Bonbrake, Sarah Bouma, Marcus Brewer, Katherine Brickle, Mattie Britt, Nicole Brooke, Keyna Bryan, Suzanne Cabizo, Josephine Cain, Javi Carlson, Kelsey Carpenter, Brooke Casio, Shayne Claire Clark, Kathy Collins, Duane Conklin, Jayna Crawford, Susan Crow, Kelly Cuellar, Susanna Davis, Catherine Dickerson, David Downs, Rebecca Duckworth, Teresa Ebio, Veronica

Edwards, Vanessa Farrow, Elizabeth Feliciano, Yolanda Fentress, Samantha Fetsko, Emily Flake, Mary Flanagan, Margaret Forslund, Jill Foster, Brianne Funkhouser, Kristy Gabb, Katherine Garcia, Edith Gordon, Lorra Gregg, Kari Griggs, Lareina Gruner, Pamela Hall, Carolyn Hartman, Gerald Hellenthal, Stefanie Hensler, Jacqueline Ho, Cam Housden, Julieanna Howell, Renee Hubbard, Joe Hunter, Robert Hwang, Jinhyun Jacobs, Michelle Janzing, Beth Jensen, Ruth Johnson, Catherine Jolliff, Madison Karamatic, Emily Kargbo, Gibril Kenyon, Gayle Khalajabadi, Shaghayegh Kohler, Jennifer Komar, Megan Kuhk, Tyler Kurkov, Marina Landers, Sheree Lavorato, Elisa Laycock, Deborah Lee, Young Line, Laura Liske, Stephanie Lonergan, Bridget Loveland, Christine Lynch, Susan Mahan, Dana Mahn, Christy Malloque, Heidi Mansfield, Natalie Masek, Suellyn Matthews, Christopher Mattingly, Sara Mbugua, Milka Mcevoy, Kara Meirose, Anne

Molina, Jessica Moran, Jessica Morelli, Katy Moyano, Lynnette Moynihan, Daniel Munene, Catherine Muon, Samonn Murphy, Nichole Nalivayko, Olga Neves, Sabrina Nguyen, Ponney Nguyen, Vien Nievweija, Stacey Olson, Audrey Oyler, Jess Palensky, Maureen Paulson, Marian Pendergrass, Linda Podolskiy, Marina Postma, Crystal Poston, Dana Potts, Cathlene Pounds, Brenda Pugh, Brianne Quan, Michelle Rangel, Marisa Rapacz, Sarah Reddy, Jamie Roberts, Lisa Robinson, Timothy Rychart, Pamela Schmidt, Nathaniel Shimanuki, Shane Singer, Marcella Smith, Tammy Smits, Erik Sta Maria, Jess Stephen, Mary Stovall, Christopher Stowell, Stacy Stumpo, Michelle Sweeney, Andrea Swenson, Tiffanie Tagulinao, Richard Tamayo, Baby Nellie Taylor, Jamessa Thomas, Leana Thomas, Patricia Tiu, Brian Troise, Amanda Valdez-Owsley, Ailene Van Wagoner, Nathan Van, Hang Vanderpuy, Elisa Veit, Stacy Wade, Jillian Walker, Connie Walsh, Patricia


New Members Warner, Naomi Weidenkopf, Lisa Weiss, Darlene Westing, Jody White, Jesenia White, Tera White, Trystan Wiessmann, Melissa Wilkin, Stephenie You, Hyun Yuchimiuk, Irina Zagar, Heather Zaldana, Sabrina Zettler, Jacob Spokane / Adams / Lincoln / Pend Oreille Adams, Joshua Anderman, Katy Anders, Lance Atkins, Ami Bakken, Abigail Barnes, Kerrie Bartek, Jolene Bartlett, Melody Bean, Francis Bird, Melissa Bisbee, Megan Bryan, Tobi Burger, Alison Burleson, Trista Byrd, Donna Clark, Samuel Clarke, Tineke

Coates, Karen Diamond, Jauharallah Drake, Amber Edwards, Kimberly Emch, Tracy Enger, Shaunna Entel, Sara Gamble, Erik Goodin, Lloyd Goodin, Lloyd Gregory, Jennifer Hanson, Kari Harms, Sarah Hawk Laturner, Brandee Hines, Laura Hodges, Evelyn Howerton, Shana Jensen, Brianne Johnson, Robin Keenan, Kaylah Knouff, Olivia Lynch, Shannon Lysne, Arthur Makortoff, Joy Manfred, Sarah Marshall, Lindsay Mason, Tanya Mauk, Caitlin Mccarty, Aaron Melberg, Kelly Miller, Colleen Miller, Corinne Miller, Rachael Mitchell, Katherine

Membership Information & Employment Status Changes It is the responsibility of each nurse to notify the Washington State Nurses Association of any change in work status which may include, but is not limited to: name, address, phone number, FTE increase or decrease, leave of absence, medical leave, maternity leave, leaving or joining a bargaining unit. This change must be done in writing either by using a Change of Information Card or sending an email to wsna@wsna.org The Cabinet on Economic and General Welfare (CE&GW) policy states: When a nurse is on an unpaid leave of absence, the dues are adjusted to the Reduced Membership Category during the unpaid Leave of Absence period. The accumulated dues payment is to begin within 90 days of return to work. The nurse will have up to twelve months to complete payment of these dues. It is the responsibility of the nurse to notify WSNA of this change in work status.

Moffatt, Mary Moolick, Christen Morris, Hannah Mukai, Mara Murphy, Carole Nead, Janet Othmer, Stephanie Overton, Heather Pedersen, Jennifer Petrovich, Angela Phan, An Reilly-Hansen, Bridget Rocha, Erin Romero, Kristy Ryser, Emily Sandberg, Sabrina Schimke, Heather Schwartz, Bridget Scoggins, Marie Sheehan, Pamela Sheldon, Mark Simundson, Brandi Thomas, Ashley Thorstenson, Heather Woods, Deborah Zimmerman, Jennifer Yakima City / North Yakima Coffman, Janet Hicks, Scott Jimenez, Beatriz Mccandless, Deborah Miller, Pamela Packard, Joni Ramos, Mayra Record, Jaime Chelan / Douglas / Grant Elliston, Janet Gahringer, Jennifer Hull, Verity Lienemann, Stacey Malmberg, Sheila Marshall, Connie Mcbrearty, Rachel Morrison, Stefanie Presnell, Greig Thorn, Jodie Wolf, Scott Young, Kara Grays Harbor Allen, Brenna Barrantes, Kerbie Greeley, Nicholas Hudson, William Masters, Roxanne Moore, Charis

Stewart, Benjamin Stokes, Michelle Vaughn, Alicia Wolinski, Jessica Wahkiakum / Cowlitz Andrews, Gregory Aubrey, Natalie Avery, Mellissa Bell, Megan Burright, Ehren Dryer, Kimberly Fraidenburg, Tanya Giberson, Shari Gonzalez, Kristina Hoerauf, Kari Hope, Kristi Jensen, Laura Joiner, Karen Jones, Thomas Lawyer, Jennifer May, Tammy May, Traci Mcgrath, Deborah Noblitt, Christine O'Meara, Kelly Orem, Amber Pattee, Megan Pedersen, Ivan Rasmussen, Sarah Rassbach, Kelli Reeder, Alyshia Shrader, Cindy Smith, Rachel Sproul, Sarah Staples, Erica Stefanski, Brenda Timm, Deanne Van Curen, Christy Whittaker, Tina Wright, Allison Yadon, Misty Clark / Skamania Bortz, Valerie Bryant, Elizabeth Carlton, Karen Chapman, Dawn Cox, Tracey Cummings, Shirley Deline, Stephen Fuller, Wendy Gadler, Margaret Ganchenpa, Kalsang Hoeksel, Renee Kaur, Jagdeep Lembke, Ciera Leonard, Cathie

Limerick, Jeffrey Lund, Judith Mccorquodale, Aletha Mckenzie, Emmy Miller, Caroline Mullan, Jessica Murgueitio, Larissa Muzzey, Douglas Nairn, Nancy Navarro, Ginger Sathre, Shannon Smithdeal, Melissa Stafford, Allison Stengel, Kylene Wilson, Brian Whitman County James, Nathan Wolfe, Rachel Benton / Franklin Ankrom, Stacie Barton, Erika Dunham, Caitlin Gimlin, Elvia Hiivala, Amanda Hoekema, Yee-Chen Ilg, Erik Johnson, Barbara Kelley, Meghan Long, Angela Milleson, Jennifer Reed, Cindy Sensiba, Caroline Thrun, James Velasquez, Viviana Vogel, Tammi Waugh, Sarah Williams, Karissa Wolfe, Danielle Skagit / Island / San Juan Algeo, Donna Bahr, Melissa Barkley, Maureen Bolles, Amy Bolles, Julie Brown, Kimberly Buchholz, Melinda Calavan, Shannon Carpenter, Wesley Craig, James Dokson, Orielle Drawdy, Christina Driscoll, Margaret Flaherty, Whitney Gabelein, Emily Graignic, Wendy

Gruenwald, Jennifer Haun, Melissa Hendrickson, Gloria Juan, Sheri Ann Karydis, Jayne Langlois, Theresa Lynn, Michael Maddox, Heather Markus, Sydney Martin, Janeen Mather, Cynthia Mitchell, Dyana Nash, Martha Paraiso, Helen Perry, Roberta Pomerleau, Nicole Quall, Emily Quinn, Karen Sims, Bridgitte Stewart, Carolyn Swan, Karla Swanson, Angela Tennyson, Ann Williams, Blair Zaveruha, Susan Kitsap Herzog, Margaret Kittitas Cosgrove, Madeline Haney, Lindsey Stingley, Annette Wallick, Tammy Yangas, Kevin All Others Burnet, Esperie Cowman, Jason Mejia, Irma Orth, Frances Palacios, Danielle Prevost, Camille Sides, Danny Sides, Susan Staatz, Mary Stape, Melissa York, Jonathan

The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 45


In Memoriam Margaret Mary Fromherz

Jacqueline M. Hensler

1917-2011

1955-2011

Margaret Mary Fromherz, 93, of Yakima, died March 23, 2011. She was born in St. Paul, Oregon on June 30, 1917, the daughter of Basil and Mary (Kemmerich ) Stupfel. She graduated from St. Paul Union High School in 1936 and from the University of Portland College of Nursing in 1944. Upon graduation she came to Yakima as the director of the Cadet Student Nursing Program of St. Elizabeth Hospital. In 1949 Margaret married Albert W. Fromherz Sr. In St. Paul, Oregon. They made their home in Yakima and raised four children. From 1950 to 1957 Margaret taught nursing part time as a substitute and did some private duty nursing. She then resumed her career as a nursing instructor at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing located at Yakima Valley Community College. She also taught science at St. Joseph Academy. In 1966, she again became the director of St. Elizabeth School of Nursing where she phased the nursing program into Yakima Valley College. Her position included the development of nursing programs in Yakima, Grandview, and Ellensburg. Margaret retired in 1982, although continuing to serve with many committees and organizations including: Washington State Nurses Association; National League

for Nursing, where she served on the league’s accreditation team; Washington State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners; Young Ladies Institute, serving as president; and the National Council of Catholic Women. She also served as president of the parish council for two different parishes, St. Paul Cathedral in Yakima and later at St. John in Naches. She was a Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of Lourdes church in Selah. Margaret volunteered for Red Cross blood drawings and foot care clinics, and Right to Life. She received many honors and recognition for her endeavors through out her career. Margaret is survived by her son Bill (Lucy) Fromherz of Yakima; daughters Sue Fromherz of Yakima and Marylen (Dan) Robinson of South Bend, IN; sisters Dorothy Duyck of Forest Grove, OR and Bea Peters of Cornelius, OR; six grandchildren, Amy, Adam, Kelly, and Mathew Fromherz of Yakima and Ted and Irene Robinson of South Bend, IN; three great grand children Cameron, Caleb, and Gracie. She was preceded in death by her husband Albert, a son John, and her sisters Marcella Zielinski and Annie Van Keulen.

46 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011

Jacqueline M. Hensler died tragically by violence on May 28th 2011 at her home in Tacoma, WA. A long time WSNA member, Jacqueline worked for many years in the Operating Room at St. Joseph-Tacoma hospital. At the time of her death, she was employed at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup. Jacqueline graduated with an ADN from Riverside City College in Riverside CA in 1976 and received her BSN (79) and MSN (85) from Loma Linda University. She began her work as an RN at Riverside General Hospital where she worked from 1976-1989. While there she worked in many roles as a staff nurse, assistant head nurse and as head nurse in various nursing units including med-surg, medical, ICU, ER and the Level I Trauma Unit.

In 1982 she began teaching nursing, first as an assistant professor at Riverside City College (82-85) and later at Loma Linda University as a nursing instructor. Jacqueline moved to the Tacoma area and began work in the ER at St. Joseph Hospital in 1989 where she worked until 2001, when she moved to the OR and worked there until 2011. Her friends and colleagues at both St. Joseph Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital are deeply saddened by her tragic loss and remember her as an outstanding person as well as an outstanding nurse who will be dearly missed.


In Memoriam Kimberly Sue Hiatt

Mary Noel Riddell

1961 – 2011

1924 – 2011

Kim Hiatt was born March 8, 1961, in Man, W. Va., to Sharon June (Ward) Hiatt and Daniel Dean Hiatt. At that time, Kim’s mother and father were medical school graduates from the University of Indiana; they worked for two years at a clinic in Man before moving to Seattle in fall 1961. Kim’s birthplace was a fun source of conversation with her family and friends throughout her life. Kim was a 1979 graduate of Issaquah High School and went on to earn degrees (in music) at Pacific Lutheran University, and the University of Washington School of Nursing. She was an accomplished pianist. Her most recent piano performance was at the funeral of her 96-year-old grandmother in 2010. An avid equestrian and a member of 4-H while growing up, Kim took pride in raising and showing Joe, the family horse. She was a soccer player and marathon runner, and was second to none as a slalom water skier. Her backyard badminton matches were played with the energy reserved for center court, as more than one opponent spit feathers after taking a smashed shuttlecock off Kim’s racquet. She loved hiking, photography, gardening, birds and Jake, the hyper Jack Russell that had almost as

much energy and enthusiasm for life as Kim. Sitting around the campfire in the mountains with Kim will be a cherished memory. Kim began her career at Seattle Children’s Hospital, where she worked for more than 25 years. Next to her family, nursing was her life. A memorial service was held April 10 for Kimberly at which time the Washington State Nurses Association recognized her with a Nightingale Tribute, an award to honor departed nurse members. The WSNA recognized Kim as a relentless advocate for her patients and the families she cared for. She was known to families, patients and her friends as an “unsung hero,” totally committed to nursing. Nursing colleagues noted her intelligence, determination, kindness, infectious smile and, most of all, her quick wit, engaging humor and amazing energy — that was Kim. Kim is survived by her partner Lyn Hiatt, son Eli, daughter Sydney, mother Sharon Crum (Thomas), father Daniel Hiatt (Dee), brother Michael Hiatt (Yoshino), nephew Daniel and niece Leah. Numerous aunts, uncles and cousins will also miss Kim.

Mary Noel Riddell nee Tharalson, died May 4, 2011, in Seattle. She was born December 27, 1924, in Devils Lake, North Dakota. She graduated from Central High School, Devils Lake, in 1941 and then entered the College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, Minnesota. She interrupted her studies to move to Missouri. Mary Noel married her high school sweetheart, Robert L. Riddell, in Chicago in 1944. They moved to Washington in 1946 and they raised their family in Seattle. Mary Noel returned to college in the 1960s and graduated in 1968 from Shoreline Community College in its first nursing class. She then began a long career as a registered nurse at Providence Hospital in Seattle. She developed strong working relationships with coworkers that became life long friendships. She was energized by her fight for better wages and working conditions on the picket lines during the historic 1976 nurses' strike against Seattle-area hospitals. She retired in 1987 after a mild illness. Mary Noel's love of patient care grew from a lifetime of caring for generations of family, neighbors, and even a variety of small animals. If stray cats did not find their way to her, Mary Noel found them, fed them and took them to veterinarians when she could. It was common for Mary Noel to quietly deliver a plate of food for a neighbor's dinner or a

roasted turkey for the homeless. When she wasn't taking care of others, Mary Noel was happy spending time on the Oregon Coast or picking berries in the high Cascades and the Puget lowlands. She was especially fond of blackberries, blueberries, and Tonga Ridge huckleberries. She was an expert knitter, talented pianist and organ player, thoughtful and constant reader, and perpetual crossword puzzle worker. For many years, Mary Noel was active in religious affairs at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ballard. She was a Eucharistic Minister and active adoration chapel participant and volunteer. Mary Noel was preceded in death by her parents, Noel F. and Marie P. Tharalson, of North Dakota. She is survived by her daughters Susan Riddell (Shoreline), Carol Riddell (Edmonds), and Mary Kay Riddell (Andrew Renggli) (Seattle), as well as by grandchildren Bonnie BryantGreene (Mark Greene) (Hot Springs, S.D.), Kristin Bryant (Everett), Noel Renggli (Seattle), Christopher Renggli (Seattle), and great-grandchildren Jeremy Bryant (U.S. Air Force), Joseph Bryant (U.S. Marines), and Dannie Bryant (Everett). Mary Noel is dearly loved and missed by her family and friends.

The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011 | 47


Continuing Education

WSNA Online CNE Update We have a new and improved WSNA Online Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) site! Check it out by going to the WSNA home page at www.wsna.org and clicking on the box for CNE. You will be taken to the Login Information, where you can create an account. If you previously have used WSNA Online CNE, your user name and password remain the same. If you cannot remember your password see “Lost Password” on the Login page. If you are a WSNA member, your default user name is your first name, followed immediately by your WSNA Member ID number, and your password is your WSNA Member ID number. Once you log into the site, you should change your password and other information in your profile. Example: Member Name: Jane Doe Member ID Number: 54321

User ID: Jane54321 Password: 54321

Courses Ready to Take or Coming Soon: Continuing Competency; Safe Staffing Saves Lives; Quality of Care, Nurses’ Work Schedules and Fatigue; Nurse Practice Act for ARNP’s; Grassroots Political and Legislative Action; and Protecting Nurses as a Valuable Resource: Washington State’s Safe Patient Handling Law. Testers Needed: We need WSNA members to help us test courses before they are published on our website. This is one of the ways we determine contact hours and find errors in content or functionality. As a tester, you will be assigned to a website that looks and works just like the CNE website but the courses you see are not visible to the public. Once you complete testing a course, you note issues, complete a brief survey, and then receive a certificate and small token of appreciation. Questions? Contact us at cne@wsna.org or call 206.575.7979 during office hours.

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www.keeplearning.uw.edu 48 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011


Washington State Nurses Association

CEARP Provider Update November 11, 2011

WHEN:

8:30 am — 4:45 pm

November 11, 2011 8:30 am registration 9:00 am to 4:45 pm program Breakfast served from 6:30 am to 10 am. Lunch included.

All WSNA approved CEARP Provider Units are invited to get an update on the ANCC-COA Criteria and to discuss ways to address the issues you face day-to-day to implement these criteria. Contact hours will be awarded for successful completion of this activity which requires attendance at the entire event and submission of a completed evaluation form. The Washington State Nurses Association Continuing Nursing Education Provider Program (OH-231, 9/1/2012) is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Ohio Nurses Association (OBN-001-91), an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on accreditation.

WHERE:

Cedarbrook Lodge Close to SeaTac Airport; shuttle service available.

18525 36th Ave South SeaTac, WA 98188 1-866-901-9268 WHO:

All approved provider unit staff New potential provider applicants welcome. Space is limited.

C O S T:

$130 or $100 per person if multiple people from one organization register together

L O D G I N G : Overnight accommodations are available at Cedarbrook or the Marriot Towne Place Suites located nearby. Fees at Marriott Towne Place Suites are discounted for WSNA events. Notify Reservation Desk at 1-253-796-6000, or email Tonia Ostronic at tania.ostronic@marriott.com.

www.wsna.org/education # Detach here

R E G I S T R AT I O N First Name ___________________________________________________________________________

o

Check / Money Order payable to WSNA is enclosed.

Last Name & Credentials __________________________________________________________

o

Charge my Visa / MasterCard

Name of Provider Unit _____________________________________________________________

Card Number

Names & Credentials of Additional Attendees from Provider Unit

_____________ - _______________ - _________________ - ________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________

Exp Date ______________ / _____________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Address_______________________________________________________________________________

Cardholder’s Name

City ____________________________________________ State ___________ Zip _______________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Email __________________________________________________________________________________

Cardholder’s Signature

Total Fees $130 for one attendee. $100 per person for multiple attendees from a single provider unit.

$ _________________

Return this form to: WSNA Attn: Irene Mueller 575 Andover Park West, Suite 101 Seattle, WA 98188 (206) 575-1908 fax • (206) 575-7979, ext. 0 phone imueller@wsna.org


Continuing Education Calendar September 2011

October 2011

Exploring Reiki in Nursing Practice – Victoria Leo, Soar With the Eagles  September 10, 2011; Fee: $35.00 - Contact Hours: 2.0; Contact: http://reikitrainingfornurses.weebly.com

Preceptor and Mentor Development Program  Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center; October 20, 2011, Fee: $-0-/$50; Contact Hours: 3.5; Contact: Marie Ritchie at (208) 529-6706

Medical-Surgical Review & Update - ONLINE - Autumn 2011  University of Washington Continuing Nursing Education; September 12, 2011 to November 20, 2011; Fee; $695/645; Contact Hours: 50; Contact: www.uwcne.net/secure/display3.asp?SKU=11134-B-SP

Advanced Practice in Primary and Acute Care  Pacific Northwest 34th Annual National Conference October 27-29, 2011; Fee: $395; Contact Hours: 19.2, Contact: http://uwcne.net/secure/display3.asp?SKU=11130-A-C

INDEPENDENT SELF STUDY COURSES AIDS: Essential Information for the Health Care Professional  Contact Hours: 7.0; Fees: $55 D

Health Assessment and Documentation Contact Hours: 20: Fees: $150 D

Breaking the Cycle of Depression  Contact Hours: 14.0 C

High Cholesterol Pt. 1: Western Medicine  Contact Hours: 7; Fee: $50; Contact: www.healthcmi.com

Central Venous Catheter Infections: The Link Between Practice and Infection Rates  Contact Hours: 1.0; Fee: $10 C Clinical Pharmacology Series  Contact Hours: 7 – 8.0; Fee: $195 / 175* C Domestic Violence  Contact Hours: 2.0; Fee: $20 C Ethics as a Compass: A Model for Dealing with Complex Issues in Patient Care  Contact Hours: 7.4; Fees: $195 C

Medical Spanish for Hospital Nurses  Contact Hours: 25 B

High Cholesterol Pt. 2: Chinese Medicine Theory  Contact Hours: 4; Fee: $50; Contact: www.healthcmi.com High Cholesterol Pt. 3: Chinese Medicine Dietetics  Fee: $50; Contact Hours: 12; Contact: www.healthcmi.com HIV / AIDS  Contact Hours: 7.0; Fee: $95 / $85 C

Ethics Related to Nursing Practice  Contact Hours: 9; Fees: $200 D Everyday Encounters: Communication Skills for Successful Triage  Contact Hours: 1.4 A

Legal Issues & Trends in Telephone Triage  Contact Hours. 1.2 A Legal Issues in Nursing  Contact Hours: 4.0; Fees: $120 D

Geriatric Health Promotion Lecture Series  Contact Hours: 63 Fee: $395; 1.5 Fee: $30 C

Legal Risks of Remote Triage  Contact Hours. 1.0 A

Hepatitis Web Studies Contact Hours: .5 C

Medical Spanish for NPs, Physicians and PAs – Course A  Contact Hours: 25 B Medical Spanish for NPs, Physicians and PAs  Course B: Contact Hours: 25 B

IMPACT: Web-Based Training in Evidence Based Depression Care Management  Contact Hours: 12.4 C

Hepatitis Case Studies  Contact Hours: .5 C

Medical Spanish for Office Nurses  Contact Hours: 25 B

Medical / Surgical Review and Update – Autumn 2010 “Enhance Medical Surgical Nursing Practice”  Contact Hours: 50 C New Telehealth Technology: Legal Risks & Call Center Benefits  Contact Hours. 1.2 A Nurse Grand Rounds

C

OTC Advisor: Advancing Patient Self-Care  Contact Hours: 17.0; Contact: www.nphealthcarefoundation.org Prescribe, Deny or Refer? Honing Your Skills in Prescribing Scheduled Drugs  Contact Hours: 10.4; Fee: $155 / 140* C

Managing Type 2 Diabetes  Contact Hours: 1.5; Contact: www.nphealthcarefoundation.org Management of Persistent Pain  Contact Hours: 1.8; Fee: No Fee; Contact: www.nphealthcarefoundation.org

RN Refresher Course Fees  Theory: $500; Health Assessment and Skills Review: $500; Clinical Placement for Precept Clinical Experience: $400 D

The Pain Management Dilemma  Contact Hours: 1.5; Contact: www.nphealthcarefoundation.org Tubes & Drains Techniques, Tips & Troubleshooting  Contact Hours: 2.0 C University of Washington Continuing Nursing Education  Offers over 30 selfstudy courses C Wound Academy – Course 1 (Wound Assessment & Preparation for Healing)  Fee: $40; Contact Hours: 4.3 C Wound Academy – Course 2 (Lower Extremities and Pressure for Ulcers)  Fee: $60; Contact Hours: 6.8 C Wound Academy – Course 3 (Dressing Selection & Infection)  Tuition; Fee: $30; Contact Hours: 2.5 C Wound Assessment and Documentation  Fee: $60; Contact Hours: 2.0 C Wound & Ostomy  Fee: $60; Contact Hours: 2.0 C

Telephone Triage Trivia  Contact Hours. 1.0 A

Contacts A Carol M. Stock & Associates

Carol M. Stock, JD, MN, RN PO Box 31114 Seattle, WA 98103 (206) 789 – 0909 cstock@carolstock.com www.carolstock.com/videos/ communication.html

B Medical Spanish.com

Ken Ryan PO Box 190913 Anchorage, AK 99519 keninalaska@gmail.com www.medicalspanish.com

C University of Washington

School of Nursing Continuing Nursing Education Box 359440 Seattle, WA 98195 206.543.1047 CNE@UW.Edu www.uwcne.org

D Intercollegiate College of

Nursing Washington State University College of Nursing Professional Development 2917 W. Fort George Wright Dr. Spokane, WA 99224 509.324.7321 or 800.281.2589 www.icne.wsu.edu

Note to Continuing Nursing Education Providers: The Washington State Nurses Association is accredited as an approver of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. If you wish to attain WSNA approval for an educational activity that you are providing to nurses, please go online to www.wsna.org/education/cearp

50 | The Washington Nurse | Summer 2011


R O F E T A D E H T E V A S

N U RSE E V I T A L LE G I S DAY!

FE B R UARY 13, 2012

IS L ATIV E G E L ’S A N S W T U O B H EAR A 2 P R IO R ITIE S F O R 201

M E E T W ITH YO U R S TAT E L E G IS L ATO R S HOURS G E T C N E C O NTA CT N STATE’S O TO W A R D W A S H IN GT O M P E TE N CY” C N E W “C O NTIN U IN G E M E NTS IR R E L IC E N S U R E R E Q U

O LYM P IA, WA

L E A R N H O W YO U C A N A N A D V O C AT E F O R Y B E O PATIE NTS A N D YO U R U R AT TH E STATE L E V E L C O M M U N IT Y AT TE N D H E A R IN G S G ET E NGAG E D AN D

G E T A CTIV E

S E E YO U TH E R E!


Washington State Nurses Association 575 Andover Park West, Suite 101 Seattle, WA 98188

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Seattle, Washington Permit No. 1282


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