Providence should recognize work of nurses in difficult year

I am not a nurse, but I stand in full support of nurses at Providence who are currently in contract negotiations.

Just over a year ago when covid-19 was identified as the killer it would prove to be, the nurses at Providence did not stay home; they went to work despite the obvious danger presented by covid. Keeping patients and their own families safe has taken a serious toll on health care workers and many will be leaving the profession, leading to a dangerous shortage of highly qualified nurses.

To those negotiating on behalf of Providence: Don’t insult the integrity, the commitment and the loyalty of your nursing staff. Pay them the going rate; leave the Extended Illness Bank alone, and please, don’t ask them to pay you to park while they take care of the patients coming to you for the excellent care those nurses provide.

Karen Knapp

Snohomish