Work Situation Report Resources - Saskatchewan Union of Nurses

A Work Situation Report (WSR) is a SUN document developed to be key documentation of a patient safety and/or nursing practice issue/concern raised and the steps taken to reach low-level resolution.

Most importantly and vital to the Nursing Advisory Committee process, a WSR, in its simplest form, is a communication tool for the nurse, manager, and Joint NAC to track and monitor professional practice issues and workload concerns.

A WSR is not an incident report; rather, it is a mechanism that provides evidence of issues/concerns in the work environment which are making it difficult for registered nurses to provide quality care and uphold their professional responsibilities.

Consistent use of the WSR provides management with the evidence and documentation they require to escalate the matter within their own internal channels, in an effort to resolve the issues identified by the frontline nurses.

Submitting a Work Situation Report

When completing a WSR electronically, a copy of the form will automatically be distributed to your Local NAC representative, the Unit Manager identified on the form, and SUN Provincial and you the member.

The Local NAC will investigate the situation, or follow up with the documenter as required, prior to the NAC meeting. Be prepared to stay involved. The Local or your Manager may ask you for more information on the incident or issue, or ask you to come to a NAC meeting to speak to your concerns.

Online WSR

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can help me complete a WSR?

Your Unit Rep will be happy to help you complete the form. If you don’t know who your Unit Rep is, please ask your Local NAC representative or President for assistance.

Who do I contact on a night shift?

The proactive approach to resolution should firstly include a department/unit huddle, key discussions with coworkers/team and in-charge nurse on the unit. If the issues cannot be resolved the registered nurses should notify the out-of-scope Manager on-call or designate of the situation for further discussion and timely resolution. If you are not able to communicate directly to a manager or designate, a voice mail should be left or an email sent identifying the issues, steps taken and that a WSR will be filed.

What do you need to do?

Remember, the Nursing Advisory Process steps must be followed using Low-Level Resolution:

1. Identify the concern, situation, or issue that is unsafe, limiting your ability to provide quality care, or why you are unable to meet your professional responsibilities and accountabilities
2. Try and find a solution with your colleagues on shift and Charge Nurse
3. If unable to find a solution – contact your Manager/designate to try and find a solution
4. If unresolved after a reasonable amount of time, notify your Manager that a WSR will be completed
5. Complete and submit an Online WSR form

What is a WSR?

A work situation report is a SUN form created to document professional practice and/or workload concerns impacting registered nurses’ ability to fulfill their regulatory, professional, and organizational obligations.

What is low-level resolution?

Low-level resolution is when a registered nurse uses critical thinking and communication to act on concerns in real-time affecting their professional practice. Low-level resolution involves the registered nurse trying to problem solve the concern within their team to find a solution that might include, unit-level huddles and work reassignment. If that does not solve the concern, then the Manager/designate should be contacted to find a solution.

What is my manager’s responsibility when a WSR is filed?

Your Manager’s role is to review the form, conduct their review, and collect additional information that may include speaking with you, colleagues, and preparing their response about the situation for the Joint Nursing Advisory Committee

What is the process to complete a WSR?

You must use low-level resolution when you identify a potential professional practice and/or workload concern. If the Manager/designate cannot provide a solution, then either an online or paper work situation report should be completed.

What happens after I complete a WSR?

Your Local Nursing Advisory Committee Chair or Unit Representative will contact you to review and collect additional information to understand the circumstances and concerns. If you have additional information to share on the concern, this would be when you can share that information.

What situation justifies completing a WSR?

Any situations related to nursing practice concerns, the safety of patients and registered nurses, workload/staffing and patient acuity, and any other factors that negatively affect patient care.

When should I file a WSR?

SUN recommends that you complete the workload form as soon as possible after your shift or during a break. We do not recommend completing the form on work time.

Where can I find a WSR?

You may login to your MySUN to complete or view your previously filed WSR’s.

Why is a WSR important?

The WSR is a tool for effective communication which identifies nursing practice issues in your workplace. It allows for a collaborative discussion with co-workers and the employer to find an agreeable resolution in real time. It further helps members fulfill their advocacy role as required by their professional associations for quality patient care and provides evidence that nurses have raised practice concerns with their employer.

Registered nurses have the professional responsibility and accountability to ensure the delivery of safe, quality care. Completing and submitting a WSR to the Joint NAC process provides registered nurses with; documentation they attempted to address concerns impacting their ability to provide safe, quality and ethical care; evidence of issues and concerns in the work environment making it difficult to achieve or maintain professional standards of care; and, if required, evidence of documentation and management notification of an issue to protect their license.

The nursing saying “if it is not charted, it was not done” holds true for the Joint NAC process and WSRs as well.

By not raising nursing practice, workload or patient safety concerns/issues, nurses are giving the impression of accepting unsafe or unethical situations. Tolerating such situations tells the Employer the situation is acceptable, and that it is possible to uphold professional responsibilities and accountabilities; even when this is not the case.

By remaining silent and not activating the Joint NAC process by filing a WSR, we are allowing a precedent to be set which makes it difficult to undo the wrongs and create positive change in the future.

If an issue is ongoing or trending, do I still need to let my manager know I am filling out a WSR?

Yes. A WSR will still be documented when an issue is ongoing or trending and the process to be followed.

Can my manager tell me I can’t fill out a WSR?

No, your Manager cannot tell you not to fill out a work situation report. Complete and submit your online or paper work situation report and contact your Local President and/or Local Nursing Advisory Committee Chair for follow-up assistance.

Learning Modules

The following ‘just in time’ learning video modules have been created to provide members with information and education to support their professional practice, in completing a Work Situation Report (WSR) form, and navigating the Joint Nursing Advisory (NAC) Process.