Senate bill 5454 would recognize nurses' pandemic trauma as industrial injury and would make it easier for nurses to apply for workers compensation.

OLYMPIA, Wash. - 

Senate Bill 5454 which would improve workers comp benefits for nurses who are suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of COVID passed through the house on Monday.

Sen. Annette Cleveland (D-Vancouver) sponsored the bill proposing a change in eligibility for Washington's workers' compensation program.

A report by the International Council of Nurses decided that COVID caused distress in nurses. 

According to the report, the pandemic is causing a difficult kind of trauma with short and long term effects for the people in the healthcare industry.

The Washington Legislature recognizes a number of incidents could be an on the job injury in the field, which doesn't include nurses.

This bill looks to change this.

“This action can save lives,” said Chair of the Health and Long-Term Care Committee Sen. Annette Cleveland (D-Vancouver).  "Nurses have been on the front lines of the COVID pandemic and their work continues to be more challenging than ever before. This bill is about providing support to those nurses who continue to serve us selflessly.”

The bill now moves on to the House.