In previous years, the Washington State Nurses Foundation (WSNF) has held a virtual auction during WSNA’s biennial Washington State Nurses Convention. Because the 2021 Convention will now be held virtually, the tough decision was made to cancel this year’s auction. We hope that this year, instead of bidding on auction items, you’ll consider donating directly to two important funds that directly support nurses.

It’s never been clearer how important nurses are for our community. We do our best to keep others safe and healthy every single day, but sometimes, we need help, too.

Education grants and scholarships

An important focus of WSNF is the provision of student scholarships, which is critical to the future of nursing in Washington state. While the nursing workforce is aging, the cost to attend nursing programs continues to rise. Between 2008 and 2018, tuition and fees at community and technical colleges increased approximately 45%, while tuition and fees at four-year colleges and universities rose approximately 65%. This presents a significant barrier to prospective students seeking a career in nursing.

In 2020, WSNF received 38 scholarship applications and funded scholarships for 12 students totaling $25,000. However, we know there are many more nursing students in Washington state who need financial assistance, and we ask that you consider helping them get that much closer to achieving their educational goals.

• If you are able to give, visit wanursesfoundation.org to donate.

Nurses Emergency Assistance Grant Fund

Everyone can make a difference for the nurses who are fighting on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, and for all nurses who work to support our communities every day. One way WSNF supports frontline workers is through its Nurses Emergency Assistance Grant Fund, which provides financial assistance to nurses in need. While nurses in areas like critical care are putting in long hours on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, nurses in other areas of hospitals are facing cuts in hours, furloughs and layoffs.

Since the pandemic began, WSNF has distributed $32,000 in emergency financial assistance to nurses in need. But the need is still great.

• If you are able to help a colleague, please consider donating to the Nurses Emergency Assistance Grant Fund at wsna.org/helpnurses.

Photos from day 1 and day 2 of the 2019 Convention have been posted online. Check them out now at https://photos.wsna.org.

• Jan Bussert – Welcome and President's Address
• Phillis Kritek – Negotiating at an Uneven Table
• Loressa Cole – Nursing Now and the Registered Nurse Role in Advocacy
• Jennifer Muhm – Legislative Update
• Ernest Grant – Evolving change: federal legislation update and ANA priorities
• Jan Bussert – Understanding the Governance of WSNA
• Stephanie Staples – Happier and Healthier Nurses Bringing Your A Game
• Sara Kim – Communications Skills for Achieving Mutual Goals
• Anita Stull – Bylaws Rule the World
• Jan Bussert – Secret Life of a Resolution
• Aragon & Meyer – Who Is the Nurse Next Door
• Sandy Slaton – Workplace Violence Panel
• Cameron Sharp – Duty To Protect

Just added! WSNA is excited to announce Washington state's 18th Attorney General, Bob Ferguson, as a keynote at the 2019 Washington State Nurses Convention.

As Attorney General, Bob Ferguson has successfully blocked President Trump’s first executive order barring travel from seven Muslim-majority nations, won the rights of same-sex couples in Washington when he filed a consumer protection lawsuit against a Richland florist for refusing to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding, formed the Wing Luke Civil Rights Division (the first office within the Attorney General’s Office dedicated to protecting the civil rights of everyone in Washington), filed and won multiple legal actions against the U.S. Department of Energy regarding the Hanford Nuclear Reservation for delaying cleanup of nuclear waste at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation and putting hundreds of Hanford workers at risk of exposure to harmful toxic waste, created the Counsel for Environmental Protection within the Attorney General’s Office to protect our environment and the safety and health of all Washingtonians and created the Office of Military and Veteran Legal Assistance within the Attorney General’s Office to help current and former service members find pro bono legal assistance.

Through his work as the state’s chief legal officer, Bob has proven his commitment to protecting the people of Washington against powerful interests that don’t play by the rules.

The Washington State Nurses Foundation is excited to announce scholarship fundraising opportunities at WSNA Convention 2019. All proceeds go to WSNF nursing scholarships.

May 3, 2019

LIVE AUCTION AND RAISE THE PADDLE

April Brown, auctioneer, will create a memorable evening with live auction bidding on jewelry, event tickets, a trip to Italy and more! An additional opportunity to donate will be available by raising your paddle.

May 1-3, 2019

CA$H RAFFLE

Raffle tickets will be on sale throughout Convention for $10.00/ticket.

• First prize winner = $500.00
• Second prize winner = $250.00
• Third prize winner = $100.00

Winners will be announced on Friday morning – you must be present to win!

MYSTERY WINE FUNDRAISER

Take a chance and select from a variety of mystery wines on sale throughout Convention. $25.00/bottle.

NIGHTINGALE SURPRISE

A special memento will be unveiled at Convention in recognition of Florence Nightingale’s 200^th birthday. Don’t miss out on this beautiful keepsake.

Just added! Dr. Ernest Grant, the president of the American Nurses Association will be a keynote at the 2019 Washington State Nurses Convention. Dr. Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN is internationally recognized as a burn care and fire safety expert. He currently oversees the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at the University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill and serves as an adjunct faculty member for the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Nursing.

Dr. Grant is currently the ANA vice president and was elected as the next president by the ANA Membership Assembly this past June. He will be serving his new role as president coming January.