Whidbey General Hospital nurse reinstated

A registered nurse has been reinstated to her position after the state nurses association filed a complaint against Whidbey General Hospital.

A registered nurse has been reinstated to her position after the state nurses association filed a complaint against Whidbey General Hospital.

The complaint filed in April by the Washington State Nurses Association claimed that the hospital refused to provide documentation supporting the termination of union member Terrie Owens. The hospital did not provide documentation but said it “had relied on Ms. Owens’ ‘Patient Charts’ and two ‘Patient Safety Net Reports,’ ” according to the complaint filed with the state Public Employment Relations Commission.

The hospital confirmed Tuesday that Owens was reinstated to her registered nurse position.

They declined to comment further however, saying that “it is not appropriate for the hospital to comment further at this time, as this matter is involved in pending litigation.”

The WSNA said Owens was reinstated “as a result of WSNA’s advocacy.”

“The Washington State Nurses Association is proud to stand behind this nurse and her 12 years of service at the hospital,” according to a Monday news release. “The unfair labor practice filed by WSNA stems in part from the hospital’s inability to produce any documentation for their alleged reasons for this termination.

“She has the support of her peers, including numerous letters written on her behalf by coworkers during this challenging time. This nurse has lived in the community for 21 years and cares deeply about providing the highest level of care to her patients.”

The complaint was one of two filed with the PERC. The second complaint has yet to be resolved and hospital’s regular three-year nursing contract negotiations with the association are still ongoing.