Once again, Americans have rated nurses as the most trusted profession in the country, according to a Gallup poll released December 21.
… Read more about: Nurses once again ranked the most trusted and ethical profession in the U.S. »
Dec.10, 2015
Thief River Falls – The TRF Food Shelf will be able to help more people this holiday season, thanks to donations raised by nurse members of the Minnesota Nurses Association in Thief River Falls at their Souper Cookoff on December 5.
… Read more about: News Release: Thief River Falls RNs donate food and money to food shelf »
December 2, 2015
St. Paul, MN – Minnesota Nurses Association members have elected Mary Turner, RN, as their new president.
… Read more about: Mary Turner elected MNA President »
By Mathew Keller RN JD, Regulatory and Policy Nursing Specialist
In a cost-saving move, when certain units at a Minnesota hospital are short staffed, managers are asking nurses to allow Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) to chart under the RN’s license.
… Read more about: Say ‘no’ to UAP charting requests »
By Mathew Keller RN JD, Regulatory and Policy Nursing Specialist
In yet another sign that Minnesota Hospitals are using the myth of a Minnesota “nursing shortage” in order to avoid appropriate nurse staffing, the Star Tribune recently reported that our 10 largest hospital systems “saw operating income jump by 38 percent in fiscal 2014 compared with the previous year.”
These healthcare systems reported sparking income growth by “putting the brakes on hiring.”
In particular, North Memorial Medical Center saw its highest net profit margin since 2006 (and yet is currently laying off RNs); the Mayo system reported a 1 percent decline in salary and benefit costs while experiencing a 36 percent increase in revenue (complaining of a nursing shortage and cutting pensions the whole time); Sanford reported eliminating positions through attrition (while also reportedly purposefully staffing 10 percent under grid in order to cut costs); and HCMC, a 472-bed facility, added the equivalent of only 38 full-time positions.
… Read more about: Minnesota hospitals’ income soars »
Gallery to be added here.
… Read more about: Patients and Nurses at the Minnesota State Fair »
By Mathew Keller RN JD, Regulatory and Policy Nursing Specialist
“If you don’t stay and work extra, who will take the admission that’s coming?
… Read more about: Mandatory overtime: just say no »
National Nurses United this week endorsed the U.S. Presidential candidate who agrees with nurses’ values and is an ardent advocate for issues important to the nursing profession, like expanding Medicare, the Robin Hood Tax to ensure Wall Street pays its fair share, and proper safety and protections from infectious diseases for nurses and patients.
… Read more about: National Nurses United endorses Bernie Sanders for President »
By Mathew Keller RN JD, Regulatory and Policy Nursing Specialist
Last fall, my grandmother was admitted to the hospital after a TIA that left her oriented only x1.
… Read more about: The Problem with Observation Status »
Nurses throughout Minnesota know of instances of employers intimidating and retaliating against staff for a wide variety reasons, like reporting unsafe staffing, speaking up when they disagree with a program or pilot, reporting managerial unethical or illegal behavior, engaging in union activities, and many more.
… Read more about: Retaliation is a real issue in nursing »
Filing Concern for Safe Staffing Forms and speaking out about unsafe staffing do make a difference. Just ask Surgical/Trauma/Neuro RNs at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.
… Read more about: HCMC RNs stop 'really awful' situation »
By Mathew Keller RN JD, Regulatory and Policy Nursing Specialist
It is with growing concern that MNA has received reports of increasingly ineffective charge nurse utilization in our hospitals.
… Read more about: Is this the End of the Charge Nurse as We Know It? »