Providence St. Mary receives government-funded nurses, CNA for COVID-19 surge

WALLA WALLA—Providence St. Mary Medical Center received contracted nursing support from the Washington State Department of Health and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to care for COVID-19 patients.

Four registered nurses and one certified nursing assistant (CAN) arrived on February 7 and will begin caring for patients Tuesday in the medical unit and the Intensive Care Unit. There may be an additional three CNAs sent to the hospital.

Providence St. Mary applied to DOH for assistance due to staffing challenges amid the recent surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations. The contract with DO...