MNA Blog

Recent news and updates from the Minnesota Nurses Association.

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In: Allina, Home, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sam Fettig
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

First-of-its-kind public hearing is the result of a new law championed by MNA

(St. Paul) – November 18, 2021 – This evening, Minnesota Nurses Association members joined more than 60 participants in a virtual public hearing on Allina Health’s plan to close labor and delivery services at Regina Hospital in Hastings. This cost-cutting move by Allina will negatively impact patient care and the community, as people going into labor will now need to travel an additional 23 miles to St.
… Read more about: Nurses, community object to Allina consolidation plan which will negatively impact patient care, nurse staffing  »

On:
In: COVID-19, Home, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sam Fettig
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – November 17, 2021 – State officials today announced that two emergency medical teams from the United States Department of Defense will travel here to provide staffing support to Minnesota hospitals. The following is a statement from Mary C. Turner, RN, Minnesota Nurses Association President and a COVID ICU nurse.

“There is no shortage of Minnesota nurses who want to work at the bedside and care for patients.
… Read more about: Statement from Minnesota Nurses Association on Emergency Federal Medical Teams  »

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In: Home, Member Blog, Press Releases

Frazier recognized alongside MNA nurse members honored for their outstanding efforts 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

(St. Paul) – November 12, 2021 – Last evening, State Representative Cedrick Frazier was honored by nurse members of the Minnesota Nurses Association with MNA’s 2021 Public Official Award. Rep. Frazier was recognized at a virtual ceremony alongside six nurse members honored with awards for their outstanding service over the last year. 

In nominating Rep. Frazier for the award, one MNA nurse member wrote: “His passion and advocacy for workers – especially essential workers coming out of this pandemic – has only grown as we have worked together to pass our priority legislation…Rep.
… Read more about: Rep. Cedrick Frazier Honored with 2021 Public Official Award by Minnesota Nurses Association   »

On:
In: COVID-19, Home, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sam Fettig
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – November 10, 2021 – MNA President Mary C. Turner, RN, one of twelve members of the Biden-Harris COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force, today praised the group’s final recommendations and report.

“As an ICU nurse on a Covid unit since the start of the pandemic, I am thrilled that the task force is calling for a permanent OSHA Covid-19 standard that includes protections against aerosol and airborne transmission for nurses and other workers,” said Turner, the only frontline worker and registered nurse appointed to the task force.
… Read more about: MNA President Turner Praises Final Recommendations of Biden-Harris COVID-19 Task Force  »

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In: Events, Member Blog

By Marcia Swanson, RN, Essentia Health Duluth/MDMC

Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, the 2021 MNA Convention went virtual. With a very full agenda for the House of Delegates, we knew we had our work cut out for us.

Sunday included education in the morning, and the afternoon brought us the Legislative Forum and a session for questions on proposed Bylaws and Resolutions.

Spirited conversations were had in the educations that included Commitment to Antiracism, Moral Suffering, and White Privilege and Racism as well as three NNU talks on Endangerment of Nurses & Patients, Queering Care and an update on COVID-19.
… Read more about: 2021 MNA Convention Recap  »

On:
In: Activism, Hospitals, Member Blog

By Chris Rubesch, RN, MNA First Vice President

The landscape of healthcare is changing rapidly and healthcare workers and patients often see and feel the effects of those changes acutely. Recently, the corporatization and consolidation of hospital systems has resulted in the closure of facilities and reduction of services around the region. This issue was most acute this winter with the closure of St. Joe’s Hospital by the HealthEast system. Throughout this process, MNA members were among the loudest voices advocating for the best interests of their patients and communities.

After the closure, we heard from members wanting to conduct a root cause analysis to look at MNA’s response and help us plan for similar future situations.
… Read more about: A Call to Action: Responding to Hospital Closures  »

On:
In: COVID-19, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sam Fettig
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

Workers will continue push both inclusive recognition and additional steps to protect Minnesotans

(St. Paul) – October 27, 2021 – A coalition of workers vowed to fight on to the legislative session today after three Republican legislators blocked the allocation of $250 million set aside by the legislature to compensate workers exposed to COVID-19.

Three Republican members of the Frontline Worker Pay Group voted Wednesday to reject a compromise proposal introduced by Rep.
… Read more about: Essential Workers Condemn Republicans Obstruction of Frontline Worker Pay, Plans turn to Legislative Session after Republicans Reject Compromise on $250 million Fund  »

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In: Activism, Legislative Policy, Member Blog

By Rachel Hanneman, RN

On March 13, 2020, the first of many Peacetime Emergency Acts was implemented in Minnesota. Since that time, we have endured a raging pandemic, social unrest and unnerving threats to the foundations of our stability. Gratitude was tested in unimaginable ways as citizens across the state hunkered down for an unprecedented time indoors. Unfortunately, the opportunity for safe harbor was not granted to all workers across the state, and approximately one million Minnesotans still answered the call of the time clock.

Peace of mind was granted by way of hot meals being prepared for carry out, shelves being stocked with food and games, and hospitals being staffed by an immense team of personnel.
… Read more about: For those who stood beside us  »

On:
In: Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sam Fettig
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – October 14, 2021 – Nurse members of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) at Allina’s WestHealth campus in Plymouth, Minn. will go on strike from Sunday, October 17 through Wednesday, October 20, 2021, as nurses seek a contract with Allina that provides fair pay and benefits to nurses on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sonya Worner, a Registered Nurse at WestHealth, said, “WestHealth nursing staff stayed the course during the COVID-19 pandemic.
… Read more about: MNA Nurses to Strike at Allina WestHealth for Fair Pay and Benefits  »

On:
In: COVID-19, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sam Fettig
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

Push comes as Republicans continue to demand the exclusion of hundreds of thousands of workers while continuing to threaten the firing of the Health Commissioner, holding up process of getting money out

(Saint Paul) – On Wednesday, October 6th, Essential workers who have kept our state running throughout COVID were joined Wednesday by members of the Frontline Worker Pay Worker Group at the Minnesota State Capitol to demand action on a final deal from the group that includes all essential workers as Republicans on the group continue to bring up divisive issues and hold up the process that is now one month past its deadline.
… Read more about: One Month Past Deadline, Workers and Frontline Worker Pay Working Group Members Push for Proposal That Doesn’t Leave Behind Any Essential Workers  »