MNA Blog - Minnesota Nurses Association

Virginia Hospital Nurses Ratify Contract after Voting to Approve Agreement

(Virginia, MN) – December 17, 2025 – Nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association at Essentia Health-Virginia have voted to ratify their contract, concluding months of prolonged and challenging negotiations in which nurses remained unified in their advocacy for patient care and a sustainable health care system on the Iron Range.
… Read more about: Virginia Hospital Nurses Ratify Contract after Voting to Approve Agreement »

December 17, 2025

Nurses at Methodist Hospital’s Non-Invasive Cardiology Lab vote for MNA representation

(St. Louis Park, MN) – December 15, 2025 – This week a group of Registered Nurses (RNs) in the Non-Invasive Cardiology Lab at Methodist Hospital in St.
… Read more about: Nurses at Methodist Hospital’s Non-Invasive Cardiology Lab vote for MNA representation »

December 15, 2025

Nurses Condemn Allina Health’s Decision to close Faribault Birth Center

(Faribault, MN) – November 7, 2025 – Nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association are outraged and frustrated by Allina Health’s decision to permanently close the Faribault Birth Center on December 1, 2025.
… Read more about: Nurses Condemn Allina Health’s Decision to close Faribault Birth Center »

November 7, 2025

Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center

Four nurses in Two Weeks Assaulted at Essentia Hospitals: Nurses Say Violence is a Consequence of Unsafe Staffing and Inaction

(Brainerd, MN) – October 28, 2025 – Nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) are once again outraged and deeply concerned after two more violent assaults on nurses at Essentia Health.
… Read more about: Four nurses in Two Weeks Assaulted at Essentia Hospitals: Nurses Say Violence is a Consequence of Unsafe Staffing and Inaction »

October 28, 2025

Nurses Condemn Assault of Two Nurses at Essentia St. Mary’s Medical Center

(Duluth, MN) – October 16, 2025 – The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) is outraged and deeply saddened to learn that two nurses were assaulted by a patient at Essentia Health St.
… Read more about: Nurses Condemn Assault of Two Nurses at Essentia St. Mary’s Medical Center »

October 16, 2025

Sign outside Mercy Hospital Unity Campus

Unity Inpatient Chemical Dependency Unit closure threatens patient safety, say nurses

(Fridley, MN) – Sept 24, 2025 – Allina Health’s plan to shut down the inpatient chemical dependency unit at Mercy Hospital–Unity Campus in February 2026 has sparked outrage from nurses, patients, and community advocates, who warn the closure will devastate access to lifesaving addiction care in the north metro.
… Read more about: Unity Inpatient Chemical Dependency Unit closure threatens patient safety, say nurses »

September 24, 2025

They live here, too: The providers who keep northeast Minnesota healthy

My name is Jenna, and I am a Hospitalist at Essentia Health in Duluth.

I first experienced Duluth as a 20-year-old college student visiting with my mom to run the Garry Bjorklund half marathon.
… Read more about: They live here, too: The providers who keep northeast Minnesota healthy »

September 23, 2025

Graphic with a stethoscope and the words "I stand with APPs"

APPs Celebrate National APP Week, Caring for Nearly Half of Essentia Patients

More than 400 APPs highlight their vital role in healthcare and call for leadership to respect and support their contributions.
… Read more about: APPs Celebrate National APP Week, Caring for Nearly Half of Essentia Patients »

September 22, 2025

Nurses announce endorsement for Minnesota State Senate District 47

(St. Paul, MN) – September 19, 2025 – Nurses of the Minnesota Nurses Association today announced their endorsement of Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger for Senate District 47.
… Read more about: Nurses announce endorsement for Minnesota State Senate District 47 »

September 19, 2025

Nurses endorse St. Paul Mayoral and Minnesota State House candidates who stand with patients and nurses

(St. Paul, MN) – August 21, 2025 – Nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association today announced the endorsement of two candidates who have demonstrated leadership in supporting safe hospital staffing levels, worker rights, and patient care.
… Read more about: Nurses endorse St. Paul Mayoral and Minnesota State House candidates who stand with patients and nurses »

August 21, 2025

MNA President Chris Rubesch speaking at a press conference.

Statement from MNA President on Essentia supervisor’s threats to workers

(Duluth, MN) – August 20, 2025 – The following is a statement released by Minnesota Nurses Association President Chris Rubesch, RN:

Nurses and healthcare workers at Essentia Health deserve a safe workplace where they can care for patients without fear of intimidation or retaliation.
… Read more about: Statement from MNA President on Essentia supervisor’s threats to workers »

August 20, 2025

Negotiations move forward as Essentia delays return of striking workers

Duluth, MN – July 25, 2025 – On Tuesday, clinic nurses, surgery center nurses, healthcare workers at Solvay Hospice House, and Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) with the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) concluded a powerful strike across Essentia Health facilities that involved nearly 700 frontline workers.
… Read more about: Negotiations move forward as Essentia delays return of striking workers »

July 25, 2025