Nurses at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital have approved a new, two-year contract with the hospital. The nurses, represented by the Oregon Nurses Association, unanimously voted to ratify the contract agreement on Friday. The new contract takes effect immediately. The ONA’s Kevin Mealy says the agreement creates a new lead nurse role to help coordinate patient care, improves scheduling to adjust to patients’ needs, and preserves sick leave benefits for nurses. The previous contract between nurses and Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital expired at the end of 2015.