mnnurses (Page 30)

On:
In: Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
​
Contact:  Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

Amber Smigiel
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – July 2, 2020 – The Minnesota Nurses Association firmly supports policies of mandatory masks and face coverings as a necessary measure to protect the public and stave off a resurgence of the vicious COVID-19 virus that has ravaged this state.  The Board of Directors voted to support this policy and urge lawmakers at every level to enact mandatory mask orders and ordinances statewide.

Nurses support policies requiring the use of cloth face coverings, in the context of a broader public health response, for the following reasons:

On:
In: Press Releases

Media Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

Amber Smigiel
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.org

(Bismarck) – June 12, 2020 – St. Alexius MNA nurses will be holding an informational picket on Thursday, June 25, in accordance with the 10-day notice filed with CHI St. Alexius Health Bismarck Hospital. After more than 20 bargaining sessions with hospital management, nurse members are still asking for solutions to short staffing, recruitment, and retention to assure Bismarck patients get the care they deserve.
… Read more about: Bismarck Nurses Will Picket CHI St. Alexius Health Hospital Over Staffing and Patient Care Issues  »

On:
In: Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

Amber Smigiel
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.org
​

“As nurses, we see the horrific effects of racism in our hospitals and community every day. We cannot remain silent as yet another black man has died at the hands of police. Last night, George Floyd, a black Minnesotan, was pinned to the ground as he repeatedly told the white police officer he could not breathe. Even after Mr. Floyd’s body went limp, the police officer continued to use his knee and full body weight to pin him down until a stretcher was brought to take him away.
… Read more about: MNA Nurses respond to the killing of a black Minnesotan by Minneapolis Police  »

On:
In: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Member Blog, Nurses

by Ann Foisy, RN
MNA Member

 

Hello, my name is Ann. I’m a nurse on the 8th floor at Fairview Southdale Hospital. We are a Med-Surg specialty unit for Oncology and Urology, but we’re known to kind of “catch-all.” We’re the floor that ends up with and Heart Center patients when those two units are full.

I love my floor, I love my coworkers, and I love my patients. I came to nursing later than some, graduating at 31 in 2008. It’s hard, it makes me think, it makes me sad, it makes me so happy and fulfilled, and I can’t see myself ever doing anything else.
… Read more about: Making Sacrifices to Keep My Family Safe  »

On:
In: COVID-19, Home, Member Blog, Patient Safety, Patient Safety Standards, PPE

By Todd Trigg, CRNA

MNA Steward

A few days ago, I was out to do my bi-weekly run for essentials. I had my lists, my route planned, my homemade cloth mask, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes to wipe things down. I was ready. I started by going to my local membership warehouse. Once there, I notice a majority of people wearing cloth masks and practicing good social distancing. I saw a few with N95 masks on, and I wondered where they got them and why they choose to wear this mask since it has become such a sacred, very limited, and treasured item to healthcare providers.
… Read more about: Save the N95s for Those Who Need Them  »

On:
In: Member Blog, Unions

By Lori Christian, RN, BS, CEN
MNAF Chair

The Minnesota Nurses Association Foundation (MNAF) is now accepting scholarship applications for MNA Members or Associate Members in good standing for the 2020-2021 academic year. As Chair of MNAF, it is a great honor to give these scholarships to deserving MNA members!

Our recent Educator of the Year award was presented to Yisehak Tura, MS, RN, OCN, who received one of our scholarships and now teaches nurses. What a way to pay it forward! He is still an active Union Member who works part-time as a bedside nurse as well.
… Read more about: MNAF Scholarship Deadline Coming Soon  »

On:
In: Home, Member Blog, Mental Health

 

By Teresa Koenen, RN
St. Peter Forensic Mental Health
MN Department of Human Services

 

I wish healthcare administrators would just be honest with us.

I am a nurse for the State of Minnesota at our forensic mental health program in St. Peter. We care for people who have mental illness and have harmed others. If a patient contracts COVID, we would care for them in our facility unless they required hospitalization.

We need appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if we are to protect ourselves and other patients from contracting the virus.
… Read more about: Just Be Honest with Us–Don’t Try to Give Us a False Sense of Security  »

On:
In: Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
​
Contact:  Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org
Amber Smigiel
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.org
​

(St. Paul) – April 25, 2020 – The Minnesota Nurses Association has serious concerns with Executive Order 20-46, which allows nurses from other states to work at Long Term Care and other healthcare facilities, just as hundreds of Minnesota RN’s will begin receiving unemployment checks due to furlough.

Despite efforts to negotiate with Minnesota Hospitals, the terms of these furloughs force nurses to either go without a paycheck or jeopardize their ability to return to work after the pandemic.
… Read more about: MNA Response to Opening Up Minnesota to Out-of-State Nurses  »

On:
In: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Hospitals, Legislative Policy, PPE, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
​
Contact:  Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org
Amber Smigiel
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.org
​

(St. Paul) – April 22, 2020 – MNA Nurses applaud the measure passed by St. Paul City Council members to tell United and other hospitals to implement the highest standards of infection protection policies to protect workers. Council members drafted the resolution after hearing the stories from emergency department (ED) workers at United Hospital.

“Nurses were afraid to come to work,” said Brittany Livaccari, a Registered Nurse at United Hospital in St.
… Read more about: MNA Nurses Applaud St. Paul Council Measure to Protect COVID-19 Frontline Workers  »

On:
In: COVID-19, Home, Member Blog, Patient Safety, PPE

By Megan Chao Smith, RN

MNA Member

 

As a nurse, I am in fear for my life, and feel like I am the only one taking my safety into account. I am less frightened about contracting the virus as I am shaken by the prospect of entrusting my safety to the current, irresponsible thinking and policies of my employer. In the face of a callous disregard for nurse safety, I am forced to weigh self-preservation with the real needs of patients in a time of national crisis. I have to choose between serving my oath, which risks my life and family’s health, and leaving my job and co-workers.
… Read more about: Who’s Got My Back?  »