MNA Blog

Recent news and updates from the Minnesota Nurses Association.

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In: Uncategorized

As one of the most celebrated dates for the Labor Movement since 1889, May Day or International Workers’ Day, commemorates Labor’s most significant achievements such as the eight-hour day and child labor laws and pays homage to its many heroes while remembering workers’ sacrifices such as The Haymarket Affair, The Homestead Strike, and the Pullman Strike among many others.

The Minnesota Nurses Association recognizes and honors May Day as one of the most sacred and relevant holidays for the Labor Movement and all trade unionists throughout the world. We recognize the importance of joining and supporting our union family especially now following a term, during which workers’ rights, benefits, and working conditions have been under threat by corporate overreach and anti-union political agendas.
… Read more about: MNA Board Statement: International Workers’ Day  »

On:
In: Racism

The Minnesota Nurses Association recognizes that the beginning of the Chauvin trial may be traumatic for our nurse members, especially for our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color members. MNA nurses sympathize with our fellow members as this may rekindle the traumas they have seen and experienced, whether it’s at the bedside, in the community, or to themselves.

MNA nurses have seen and heard from patients, coworkers, and employers about the controversy over the trial from the beginning, and those who wish to debate the facts of systemic racism continue to try to debate, insult, and create conflict with nurses. This has forced MNA nurses to turn away, remain silent, and ignore this race-baiting as they attempt to provide patient care.
… Read more about: Minnesota Nurses Association Recognizes the Trauma Related to Chauvin Trial  »

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

Never in my seven years as an RN did I imagine I would be working amid a pandemic. With everything we did not yet know about COVID-19, I was shocked to find out that we would be affected where I work, in rural Perham, Minnesota. Despite the risks, my fellow nurses and I show up to work every day because it is our job to care for our community.

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In: Coronavirus, COVID-19

Note: the content below is the opinion of the creator or signed authors.

By Sara Buchanan, RN

It was an honor and a privilege to represent Minnesota and rural Minnesota Nurses at the White House recently on a conference call with first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff! Even small-town nurses face big-time problems in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Although our rural COVID-19 surges hit later and are starting to get better, things are still difficult.

Lack of testing, nursing shortages, personal protective equipment shortages, and COVID-19 exposures remain.
… Read more about: Sharing the experience of rural nurses during COVID-19 with the White House  »

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In: COVID-19, 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

February 10, 2021 (St. Paul) – Minnesota Nurses Association President Mary C. Turner has been selected to serve on the national Biden-Harris COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. Turner is the only Registered Nurse to serve on this advisory board to advise the White House on how to ensure all Americans have access to COVID-19 resources. She was personally selected by President Joe Biden.

“I’m both honored and humbled to serve the country,” Turner said.
… Read more about: MNA President Turner Proud to Support Nurses on Biden-Harris COVID-19 Task Force  »

On:
In: Press Releases, Workplace violence prevention

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

February 9, 2021 (St. Paul) –

“Minnesota Nurses are again shocked and saddened by the news of another incident of workplace violence at a healthcare facility in the state. As caretakers of victims of gunshots and other violent injuries, nurses and healthcare workers are acutely aware that violence could easily come to the doors of their workplace too. Seeing other workers become victims shakes any hospital worker to their core.
… Read more about: MNA Nurses Statement on Workplace Violence at Buffalo Clinic  »

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
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(St. Paul) – February 4, 2021 – Nurse members of the Minnesota Nurses Association have alerted Allina Health of the intent to hold an informational picket in Faribault near District One Hospital on Friday, February 12.

MNA nurses have been negotiating a new contract with Allina for months, but productive talks have deteriorated over safety and staffing issues. While Allina has agreed to match wages with a nearby hospital, management has refused to improve staffing measures, add health and safety protections, or match compensation for calling nurses in during short-staffing crises. 
… Read more about: MNA Nurses File Notice to Picket Allina District One Hospital  »

On:
In: Coronavirus, COVID-19, 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

January 26, 2021 (St. Paul) – Minnesota nurses explained to legislators that, like other essential workers, they’ve lost thousands of dollars in pay and benefits due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and they’re asking lawmakers to support HF41, the Essential Workers Emergency Leave Act, which will make it right.

Many essential workers, including nurses, were either exempted from receiving federal COVID leave covered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) or their employers were not subject to FFCRA due to their size.
… Read more about: MNA Nurses Testify in Support of Essential Workers Emergency Leave Act  »

On:
In: Coronavirus, COVID-19

By Susan Kreitz, RN, MNA Board of Directors, CARn Chair

This question is being asked by many people. People from all walks of life, race, young and old. The truth is everyone who can, should be vaccinated. The virus doesn’t know who we are, where we live, or how old we are.

We need to look at the science of this medication. mRNA technology was discovered over 30 years ago and the vaccine has been studied for nearly 2 decades. The benefit of mRNA vaccines, like all vaccines, those who are vaccinated gain protection without ever having to risk serious consequences of getting sick with COVID-19.
… Read more about: Should you get the COVID-19 vaccine?  »