MNA Blog (Page 108)

Recent news and updates from the Minnesota Nurses Association.

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In: Activism, Politics

MNA RNs are speaking out against the proposed National Nurse Licensure Compact bill making its way through the Minnesota state legislature. If passed, this legislation would lower the standards of nursing care in Minnesota and put our patients at risk.

Please join MNA RNs like Sandra Johnson in voicing your opposition to the bill:

Please consider the safety of all patient’s before you vote on this bill.  I am a registered nurse in Minnesota and have experienced patient care in other states such as Texas and Chicago.  My parents are snowbirds in Texas and have several health issues which require frequent hospitalization.
… Read more about: MNA RN Sandra Johnson speaks out against National Nurse Licensure Compact  »

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In: Uncategorized

Right to Work

There was no action on Right to Work this week. Our friends in both parties and both legislative bodies have taken a stand on behalf of working families. To all of you who wrote, called and visited your elected officials, thank you. The outpouring of grassroots activism from nurses, union members and concerned citizens was like nothing we’ve seen in recent years, and deserves a lot of the credit for stopping this bill.

Health and Human Services Omnibus Bills

On Tuesday, HHS Chair David Hann (R-Eden Prairie) introduced the Senate HHS Omnibus bill, which includes the National Nurse Licensure language, aka Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact.
… Read more about: Legislative Update, March 30, 2012  »

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In: Activism, Organizing, Politics

Regional Action Councils – Nurses mobilizing around policy and politics

As you’ve followed the action during this legislative session and campaign season have you wondered how you can get involved on behalf of nurses and patients?

Nurses are forming six Regional Action Councils around the state to mobilize around policies and candidates that are good for nurses, patients and working families. The RACs will soon begin screening and accountability process for candidates seeking MNA’s endorsement. It is critical that nurses take advocacy beyond the bedside, and weigh in on the policies that affect our practice and patients.

If you are interested in learning more about the Regional Action Council for your area, please contact:

Thanks!
… Read more about: Regional Action Councils: Get Involved!  »

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In: Activism, Politics

MNA RNs are speaking out against the proposed National Nurse Licensure Compact bill making its way through the Minnesota state legislature. If passed, this legislation would lower the standards of nursing care in Minnesota and put our patients at risk.

Please join MNA RNs like Suzanne Weaver in voicing your opposition to the bill:

Please oppose the National Nurse Licensure Compact.  I believe it would compromise patient safety.  I have worked with nurses brought in to orient here in 2010 prior to the nurses strike and luckily on several occasions caught medication errors before they were made. 
… Read more about: MNA RN Suzanne Weaver speaks out against National Nurse Licensure Compact  »

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In: Activism

Below is a letter from the nurses serving on MNA’s Economic and General Welfare Commission:

Greetings to you all. We are writing to bring you up-to-date information about the safety of patients and the on-line Concern for Safe Staffing (CFSS) process. It has been a year since we went live with our streamlined process, and we want to apprise you of the success nurses have had documenting their advocacy for patients in unsafe staffing situations.

The CFSS process is an organizational initiative to standardize our reporting across the entire organization. The most important aspect of the process has evolved from filling out a form to mobilizing and encouraging action at the first hint of an unsafe situation.
… Read more about: Important Update on Concern For Safe Staffing Forms  »

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In: Politics

MNA President Linda Hamilton opened up her home and hosted a special health care discussion on March 23 with Secretary of Health Kathleen Sebelius, Gov. Mark Dayton, Sen. Al Franken, Rep. Betty McCollum and others to talk about the Affordable Care Act and its positive impact in the lives of Minnesota women and their families.

Use the links below to view photos from and read news stories about this amazing event:

In addition, here’s a quick video roundup of some local TV news coverage:
[youtube=http://youtu.be/gaYbPeXkiXs]

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In: Politics, Right to Work

MNA Legislative Update, March 23, 2012

Today is the second legislative deadline of the session, which means that bills that haven’t passed out of committee by today are effectively dead. March 30 is the third deadline, by which all finance and appropriation bills have to pass the committee process. Because this session’s deadlines are looming, action at the Capitol has been fast and frequent this week.

Right to Work

Since passing the Senate Judiciary Committee by one vote last week, the so-called Right to Work amendment has stalled. It is because of your efforts that attempts by Right to Work supporters to get the bill heard on the House and Senate floors both failed again this week.
… Read more about: Legislative Update, March 23, 2012  »

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In: Politics, Right to Work

Right to Work

The so-called “Right to Work” amendment was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday. Over 1,600 union members turned out to watch the hearing and voice their opposition to this unfair, unsafe and unnecessary legislation. Capitol officials reported that this was the largest turnout for a committee hearing in state history.  Abbott Northwestern Hospital Nurse Ursula Tuttle testified before the committee. You can watch Ursula’s testimony here at the 8:35 mark.

After nearly four hours of testimony and debate committee passed the “Right to Work” amendment 7-6. In the end, one Republican joined five DFLers in opposing the amendment, with the other 7 Republicans voting for Right to Work.
… Read more about: Legislative Update March 16, 2012  »

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In: Politics, Right to Work

I could not have a stronger opinion about this issue.

I am an RN and I just returned to MN after working for 4 years in Texas -a “right to work” state.

I have never in my ENTIRE nursing career felt so powerless to protect my patients. We all worked grueling hours, had grossly inadequate numbers of staff, and absolutely no support network.

It was made clear by non-medical management that we were to do the job and not complain. The message was clear:” You are not valued as an employee and we don’t care about the patient’s welfare.
… Read more about: Real RNs Speak Out Against Right-to-Work: Michelle Donovan  »

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In: Activism, Labor Unions, Nurses, Politics, Right to Work

MNA RNs are weighing in about the devastating impact the so-called “Right to Work” legislation would have on everyday Minnesota families. Here’s just one of the heartfelt letters MNA RNs are sending to their local legislators:

 

I urge you Senator Vandeveer to vote No on the right to work issue.

I have been a RN for almost 20 years and have been supported by my union for as many years.  I also have family and friends who are nurses in southern states and I hear on a daily basis their horror stories.  Unrealistic patient work loads, no support staff, monthly turnover and constantly living under the threat of losing their license if something goes wrong. 
… Read more about: Real RNs Speak Out Against Right-to-Work: Selena Running  »