MNA Blog

Recent news and updates from the Minnesota Nurses Association.

On:
In: Activism, Day On the Hill, Home, Press Releases

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Contact:  Barbara Brady
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
barbara.brady@mnnurses.org

​
(St. Paul) –   February 8, 2019 –  Minnesota Nurses Association nurses and healthcare advocates will call for legislators and businesses to put patients before profits and support expanding access to quality, affordable healthcare for all, including initiatives currently before the Legislature at a 2 p.m. rally in the Minnesota Capitol Rotunda on February 12. Representatives from MNA, ISAIAH, the Land Stewardship Project, the Main Street Alliance, the Minnesota AFL-CIO, and TakeAction Minnesota will share stories in support of expanding MinnesotaCare, removing the sunset of the provider tax that funds MinnesotaCare, reducing prescription drug costs, strengthening workplace safety, and improving hospital staffing levels.
… Read more about: Media Advisory: Minnesota Nurses, Healthcare Advocates Rally on Feb. 12  »

On:
In: Action, Bargaining, Home, Member Blog

By Shannon Paysse and Kyle Zelinske

MNA Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center Co-Chairs

 

When our SEIU colleagues at Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd asked MNA nurses to support them over a costly change to their health insurance last year, we wasted no time assisting them.

 

Essentia Health’s decision to change health insurance in Brainerd put SEIU workers in a precarious position. Their contract contained a cap on how much the employer paid in premiums, something nurses had previously negotiated out of their contract. SEIU workers faced much higher family premium costs as a result of the change in health insurance.
… Read more about: MNA nurses have our union colleagues’ backs  »

On:
In: Home, Nurse education, Nurse licensure, Nurses, Nursing Practice

By Jackie Russell, RN, JD

MNA Nursing, Practice, and Regulatory Affairs Specialist

 

If it’s not documented, it’s not done. But what if it is documented and it’s not done?

 

Healthcare facilities throughout Minnesota are understaffed. Patient acuities are high, and lean management demands nurses spend less time with patients, which is distressing to nurses. Nurses have a duty to provide nursing care within their scope of practice and to practice safely. Priorities shift quickly on an short staffed unit. To provide optimal nursing care on an understaffed unit– from beginning to end of shift–leaves little time for timely documentation.
… Read more about: If it’s not documented, it’s not done. But what if it is documented and it’s not done?  »

On:
In: Bargaining, Home, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses

By Emily Sippola, RN

MNA Member, United Hospital Tri-Chair

Months after the 2016 Allina strike, MNA nurses at United Hospital were surprised to find that the employer had unilaterally decide to change the calculation for our sick leave incentive bonus, which rewards nurses for not using sick time.

In May 2017, Allina decided to not count the hours United Hospital nurses were on strike toward “Regularly Scheduled Hours” and provided our sick time incentive bonus based on a lower number of hours nurses worked.

Nurses quickly filed a grievance based on the fact that the contract provides for upgrading Regularly Scheduled Hours based on additional hours worked but does not provide for downgrading based on hours on strike.
… Read more about: United Hospital nurses celebrate grievance victory over sick leave incentive  »

On:
In: Activism, Home, Legislative Policy, Member Blog

By Jean Forman, RN

Chair, MNA Government Affairs Commission

Our 2019 Minnesota legislature has been sworn in! Thanks to many hours by engaged nurses on the phones and on the doors as well as countless conversations this past year, Minnesota voters have elected leaders who have set forth a “Top 10” values.

Agenda that includes:

  1. HF 1: The Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act
  2. HF 2: K-12 Student Support Legislation
  3. HF 3: MinnesotaCare Buy-In
  4. HF 4: Preventing prescription drug price gouging
  5. HF 5: Paid Family & Medical Leave and Earned Sick & Safe Time
  6. HF 6: Wage Theft prevention and enforcement
  7. HF 7: Rural broadband expansion
  8. HF 8: Keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people through criminal background checks
  9. HF 9: Preventing gun violence through Extreme Risk Protection Orders
  10. HF 10: Protecting Minnesotans from sexual harassment.

    11. … Read more about: Minnesota Legislators Already Proposing Nurse Values-driven Policy  »

On:
In: Home, Member Blog

By Deb Meyer, RN
… Read more about: Be a Winner at the MNA Awards  »

Practice and Education Commissioner

Nurses are doing great things every day, and we need to recognize these nurses, which we do annually at the the Minnesota Nurses Association Honors and Awards banquet during the annual convention in October.  Every MNA member is eligible, and there are even awards for friends of MNA too.  All you have to do is nominate them.

 As you work side by side with your co-workers in the next few months, keep these awards in mind.  The President’s award is selected by the MNA President, but the remainder of the awards can be nominated by members. 

On:
In: Home, Nurses, Women, Workplace violence prevention

By Becky Nelson, RN, CCRN, CPAN

Chair, Health and Safety Committee

 

Back injuries. Needlesticks. Workplace violence. Chronic fatigue related to shift work. Building security. Bullying. PPE failures. Ergonomic problems. Environmental allergies. There isn’t a part of your professional life that the Health and Safety Committee at MNA wouldn’t address at some point.

 

The Health and Safety committee is currently working on tabulating and analyzing injury reports from represented facilities across the state and more, and are looking to fill out our membership roster with passionate, dedicated nurses from the Metro area and Greater Minnesota.
… Read more about: Health and Safety are Vital to Our Strength  »

On:
In: Bernie Sanders, Health Care Reform, Home, Single Payer

By Geri Katz

MNA Healthcare Reform Specialist

These are exciting times for those of us who believe healthcare is a basic need for every person, and no one should go bankrupt because they had the bad luck to get sick.

Healthcare was the number one issue for voters in November. Candidates across the country ran and won on a platform of Medicare for All. Prospective 2020 presidential candidates are signaling their support. Public opinion polls consistently show a majority of Americans – including a majority of Republicans, according to this poll – support Medicare for All.

MNA nurses and many of your fellow front-line healthcare professionals have long supported moving to a system that:

  • guarantees healthcare (not insurance) for every American, including prescriptions, dental and vision;
  • costs far less for Americans than they’re currently paying in premiums, deductibles, and co-pays;
  • makes the system simpler for patients and providers and lets people focus on their health instead of their bills.

    • … Read more about: Medicare for All Bill Lives Again!  »

On:
In: Elections, Home, Politics, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Contact:  Barbara Brady
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
barbara.brady@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) –   January 16, 2019 –  The Board of Directors of the Minnesota Nurses Association has endorsed Stu Lourey for the vacant Minnesota Senate seat of District 11 to represent Carlton, Pine, St. Louis, and Kanabec counties.  Nurse leaders made the decision after he submitted to a screening and questionnaire that detailed his commitment to expanding access to healthcare for more Minnesotans.

“We’re proud to work for Stu Lourey,” said MNA President Mary C.
… Read more about: Press Release: Minnesota Nurses Endorse Stu Lourey for Minnesota Senate District 11  »

On:
In: Action, Activism, Home

By Katie Gjertson

MNA Political Coordinator

 

Nurses are active in their communities and members of lots of different organizations, faith groups, and non-profits. Two MNA partners groups, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) and ISAIAH are powerfully working to fight back against the racism, Islamophobia, and the rise of hate groups in Minnesota.

Late last year, ISAIAH and CAIR-MN released a report titled “Minnesota’s Anti-Muslim Propaganda Mill.” The research project exposes the complex network of relationships behind the financing, production and distribution of hate and fear-mongering propaganda–specifically anti-Muslim propaganda in Minnesota. The report also details the policy agenda of those affiliated with these groups, notably an anti-union agenda.
… Read more about: We Are Greater Than Fear  »