MNA Blog (Page 146)

Recent news and updates from the Minnesota Nurses Association.

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Barb Warren-Bloms, the first Minnesota Nurse formally deployed to Haiti, recently sent us a Facebook message with an update of her first days on the Navy ship USNS Comfort (above):

“Thanks. It is going ok on the ship. I am working night shift. The census is way down, and acuity is very low. It is winding down. There are only 50 patients here now.

Even though the census is very low, they are happy we are here, because the nurses have not had days off in over 30 days. We got here too late to be of much help other than letting the nurses get days off, which is important, I guess.
… Read more about: Update from the USNS Comfort in Haiti  »

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The campaign to Save GAMC continues.  Visit www.SaveGAMC.org for more information.

General Assistance Medical Care Vote This Thursday
We Can’t Afford To Wait – Call Your State Representative Today

The 85,000 Minnesotans (including 8,000 military Veterans) who rely on GAMC need your voice now more than ever!

Thursday morning, February 18th, the House will take a vote on the GAMC bill (House File 2680) to either pass or defeat the measure.  We need you to call your House member today to ensure that both Democrats and Republicans support health care coverage for the poorest and sickest single adults.
… Read more about: Special Update: Help Save GAMC!  »

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EKyoiLMdwE]

MNA Member RN Barb Warren-Bloms spent her Valentine’s Day doing media interviews like the one above at MSP International Airport, then boarded a plane to Jacksonville, FL, to join other RNs from around the country who were deployed to Haiti earlier this week. Barb is the first MN Nurse formally deployed to Haiti through the National Nurses United organization, which is the national union MNA is working with to help safely deploy RNs to help in the Haiti relief efforts.
… Read more about: Happy Valentine’s Day – I’m Headed to Haiti!  »

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Barb Warren-Bloms left from the MSP International Airport today as the first MNA RN to be formally deployed to Haiti. After interviews with local TV stations Barb gave heartfelt hugs to her family and jumped on a plane to Florida. She will be spending the next two weeks on the Navy ship USNS Comfort, which is serving as a floating hospital for earthquake victims. Thanks Barb for being the first of so many Minnesota RNs and MNA Members ready to go to Haiti!


… Read more about: First Minnesota Nurse Heads to Haiti  »

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Minnesota RN Barbara Warren-Bloms leaves Sunday (2-14-10) from MSP International Airport and becomes the first Minnesota nurse to be formally deployed to Haiti. Since the earthquake struck nearly one month ago, more than 300 Minnesota RNs have volunteered through the Minnesota Nurses Association to travel to Haiti.

“As nurses, it’s in our DNA to help,” says MNA President Linda Hamilton. “We don’t know any other way to operate. It doesn’t matter if it’s in Hastings or Haiti – our nurses want to be where they are needed.”

Warren-Bloms, one of 20,000 RNs who are members of the Minnesota Nurses Association, lives in Brooklyn Park and has been an RN for more than 15 years.
… Read more about: BREAKING NEWS: First Twin Cities Nurse Heading to Haiti!  »

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In: Activism, Healthcare, Labor Unions, Organizing, Politics

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8Uj8jNRD9U]

In case you missed it, here’s a short video summarizing what was truly an amazing turnout from hundreds upon hundreds of Minnesotans from all over the state and all walks of life. We all came together to demand our legislators restore the General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) program, which provides health insurance for the poor and homeless in our state. Truly an incredible event!
… Read more about: 2010 Save GAMC Rally – A day to remember!  »

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In: Healthcare, Hospitals, Nurses

MARSHALL, Minn. – This isn’t exactly what you call putting patients first.

Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center is threatening to break a public promise by closing its popular Home Health Care program, which annually provides thousands of home nursing and wellness visits to many of Marshall’s 15,000 residents.

“We’re a small community. People here take care of one another,” says Val Buysse, a Registered Nurse who has spent more than 15 years working in Avera’s Home Care program. “Why would our town’s only hospital turn its back on the people who need its services most?
… Read more about: Minnesota Hospital to Patients: Trust Us … Until We Change Our Mind  »

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(Posted Feb. 3 at 5:oo p.m. Central)

Dear Fellow MNA Member,

We wanted to share with you the very latest on a critical patient safety issue involving the Minnesota Board of Nursing and the scope of practice for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs).

The MNA has serious concerns for the safety of patients and nurses regarding the Board of Nursing’s proposal to re-interpret and expand the current scope of practice of a Licensed Practical Nurse in the areas of assessment, delegation, and supervision with no additional education.

At today’s Board of Nursing Practice Committee Meeting, members of MNA, faculty members of Minnesota nursing schools and LPNs testified for more than 90 minutes about this issue.
… Read more about: Update on Critical Patient Safety Issue and MN Board of Nursing  »