MNA Blog

Recent news and updates from the Minnesota Nurses Association.

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In: Home, Minnesota Nurses Association, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lauren Bloomquist
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – September 27, 2024 – The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) Board of Directors has named Elaina Hane the new Executive Director.

Elaina Hane brings over five years of experience in the labor industry, previously serving as an MNA Labor Relations Specialist, MNA’s Manager of Governance and Policy, MNA’s Manager of Field Operations, and most recently the Interim Executive Director position to which she was appointed in January of this year.

Hane also brings to the position over 17 years of experience as a registered bedside nurse, during which she was an active member of the Minnesota Nurses Association, serving on her bargaining unit’s negotiating team, as an elected delegate to MNA’s House of Delegates, and as a member of MNA’s Board of Directors, among other roles.
… Read more about: MNA announces appointment of new Executive Director     »

On:
In: Allina, Home, Nursing, Patient Safety, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

 

Contact:  Lauren Bloomquist

(c) 651-376-9709 

lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org

 

New study from MNA includes review of Allina Health’s surrender to for-profit companies impacting workers, patients, and Allina’s business.

(St. Paul) – September 26, 2024 – The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) today released a new report on the how Allina Health’s ties to financial parties have comprised the healthcare giant’s mission, business, and patient care. The 23-page report includes a review of the two interconnected players influencing patient care, Allina Health System and Piper Sandler; studies the growing corporate influence in local healthcare at Allina; and analyzes how the profit-driven approach of executives has failed in large part.  
… Read more about: New report highlights consequences of Allina Health’s financial ties compromising its mission, business, and patient care       »

On:
In: Elections, Home, Legislative Policy, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lauren Bloomquist
© 651-376-9709
lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org

Nurse endorsements recognize current lawmakers and electoral candidates working to solve the crisis of understaffing and retention, hold corporate healthcare executives accountable and put patients before profits in our hospitals

(St. Paul) – September 24, 2024 – Nurses of the Minnesota Nurses Association today announced the endorsement of their final round of six candidates for the Minnesota House and one candidate for the Maplewood City Council races. These candidates are recognized for their various levels of leadership and partnership with nurses to make progress on issues important to nurses and patients.
… Read more about: Nurses announce final endorsements in 2024 Minnesota State House, Maplewood City Council races  »

On:
In: Allina, Home, layoffs, Mayo, Nurse Staffing, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lauren Bloomquist
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – September 18, 2024 – The following statement is from the MNA Chairs at Owatonna Hospital:

“Nurses are very concerned about the recent announcement from Allina Health that they will be laying off nurses at Owatonna Hospital in the OR and Ambulatory Surgery units. We are particularly concerned by the role the Mayo Clinic is playing in this decision and the impact it will have on the Owatonna community.

At the Owatonna Hospital, Allina handles the acute care, and Mayo overseas the clinical side.
… Read more about: MNA Nurses’ Statement on layoff of Allina nurses at Owatonna Hospital  »

On:
In: Duluth, Elections, Home, Legislative Policy

By Jill Lebrun, RN, MNA Board of Directors 

On a gorgeous September Minnesota morning, I and other MNA board members went door-knocking in Hermantown, near Duluth. Our focus: Get Out The Vote (GOTV) for Mark Munger for State Representative, an advocate for quality healthcare. 

Mark Munger is a candidate in Minnesota House District 3B and is endorsed by MNA nurses through our screening process. We didn’t set out to change anyone’s minds…instead we knocked and used social pressure to get loyalists to the polls!  

As nurses, we believe in the power of lawmakers who will work with us to improve access to healthcare.
… Read more about: Electing Pro-Nurse, Pro-Union Candidates One Doorknock at a Time  »

On:
In: Home, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Amber Smigiel
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.org 

Lauren Bloomquist
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – September 2, 2024 – The following statement is from the MNA Tri-Chairs at Methodist Hospital: 

 “Our hearts are heavy today from the tragic news that our colleagues at Methodist Hospital were injured and killed by a motorist at the Park Tavern in St. Louis Park late Sunday night.  

The entire MNA family mourns the loss of those who were killed, and we are keeping those who were injured in our thoughts.
… Read more about: MNA Nurses’ Statement on the Tragedy at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park  »

On:
In: Elections, Home, Legislative Policy, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Amber Smigiel
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.orgLauren Bloomquist
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org

Nurse endorsements recognize current lawmakers and electoral candidates working to solve the crisis of understaffing and retention, hold corporate healthcare executives accountable and put patients before profits in our hospitals

(St. Paul) – August 29, 2024 – Nurses of the Minnesota Nurses Association today announced the endorsement of their next round of 19 candidates for the Minnesota House, one candidate for Minnesota Senate and five County Commissioner races. These candidates are recognized for their various levels of leadership and partnership with nurses to make progress on issues important to nurses and patients.
… Read more about: Nurses announce 25 more endorsements in 2024 Minnesota State House, Senate and County Commissioner races  »

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In: Action, Home, North Memorial

Authored by North Memorial MNA Stewards

Since January 2024, North Memorial nurses and other frontline employees have been trying to adjust to a new medical insurance plan changed by hospital mismanagement before the new year. In another cost cutting measure, employees across the hospital were switched from Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance to a plan managed by United Medical Resources. For months, many of our colleagues experienced lapses in coverage for providers, medications, various treatments and ongoing denied claims. While an MNA actuarial review of the policies indicated that they are similar on paper, many MNA nurses found in practice that the time spent contesting denials, finding new providers, and negotiating health care for them and their families proved difficult and, at times, exhausting. 
… Read more about: North Memorial Nurses Organize Membership Meeting, Endorse Resolution Calling for Restoration of Previous Health Insurance  »

On:
In: Elections, Home, Legislative Policy, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Amber Smigiel
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.org
Lauren Bloomquist
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org

Nurse endorsements recognize current lawmakers and electoral candidates working to solve the crisis of understaffing and retention, hold corporate healthcare executives accountable and put patients before profits in our hospitals

(St. Paul) – July 29, 2024 – Nurses of the Minnesota Nurses Association today announced the endorsement of their next round of 29 endorsements for the Minnesota House. These candidates are recognized for their various levels of leadership and partnership with nurses to make progress on issues important to nurses and patients. 
… Read more about: Nurses announce 29 more endorsements in 2024 Minnesota State House races  »

On:
In: Duluth, Essentia, Home, Press Releases

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Amber Smigiel
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.org

Lauren Bloomquist
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org
Election grows the number of new MNA members to more than 700 so far in 2024

WATCH: Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) at Essentia’s East Market announce the results of their election vote  

(Duluth) – July 24, 2024 – On Tuesday, July 23, 2024, Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) at Essentia’s East Market announced they voted overwhelmingly to be represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association. The APPs filed for an election with the National Labor Relations Board on November 27.
… Read more about: Healthcare workers at Essentia East Market Advanced Practice Providers vote overwhelmingly for union representation  »