MNA Blog (Page 39)

Recent news and updates from the Minnesota Nurses Association.

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In: Home, Press Releases

For Immediate Release

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

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

(St. Paul) – July 12, 2018 – Short staffing is an “epidemic with no end,” according to an annual report published by the Minnesota Nurses Association.  MNA analyzed more than 3,000 Concern for Safe Staffing reports filed by registered nurses in 2017 and found a continuing incidence of hospital staffing where nurses had to take care of too many patients at one time.  Nurses reported that, as a result of short staffing, hospital patients didn’t receive medications, assessments, and discharge instructions, among other needs.
… Read more about: Press Release: MNA Nurses Report Short Staffing Pervasive in Minnesota Hospitals  »

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In: Activism, Home, Member Blog, Single Payer

By Kathleen Malecki, RN

MNA Member

 

Healthcare reform coalition-building has hit a critical mass milestone in the work of creating a nationwide Healthcare for All (Medicare for All) movement, possibly with an international, intersectional component.  “Healthcare-NOW” is ready to launch an army of organized volunteers to challenge the medical-industrial complex across the USA and globally.

 

This is the long-awaited tipping point. It is time for us to get involved and volunteer to make this happen via deep one-on-one conversations, which are held face-to-face wherever we are with the goal to listen more than talk.
… Read more about: HEALTHCARE NOW CONFERENCE 2018  »

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In: Erin Murphy, Home, Press Releases

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

Contact:  Shannon Cunningham
(o) 651-414-2838
(c) 651-269-1418
shannon.cunningham@mnnurses.org
… Read more about: Press Release: Nurses applaud Erin Murphy’s healthcare plan  »​
(St. Paul) –   July 10, 2018 –  Minnesota nurses are excited about the bold healthcare plan released today by gubernatorial candidate Erin Murphy that will make Minnesota the first state in the nation to provide guaranteed, affordable healthcare to everyone.  The “Pathway to Single Payer” plan is a strong blueprint for guaranteeing all Minnesotans affordable, quality healthcare, according to the Minnesota Nurses Association members.
​
The “Pathway to Single Payer” plan will simplify and strengthen the state’s existing healthcare system by expanding access to MinnesotaCare as it’s currently structured, requiring the state to contract directly with healthcare providers, and making medications affordable and available to all state residents.”Nurses believe a system that treats healthcare as a basic human need, not a luxury, is a necessity,” said MNA  President Mary C.

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In: Home, Minnesota Nurses Association, National Nurses United, Nurses

By Barb Brady

MNA Communications Specialist

What do you get when you take several hundred nurses and mix in fun, learning, union solidarity, and inspiration? The 2018 MNA Convention and House of Delegates!  It’s Oct. 5-8 at the Radisson Blu in downtown Minneapolis.  MNA nurses will join together to learn about issues important to nurses, network, and set MNA’s course for the next year.

A special bonus this year: National Nurses United is bringing nurses from throughout the country to Minnesota for their national convention at the same time and place.  It’s a great opportunity to connect with nurses from other states in addition to meeting or re-uniting with MNA members! 
… Read more about: Union Rights = Advocacy Rights: Convention 2018  »

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In: Activism, Health Care Reform, Home, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Barb Brady
(office) 651-414-2849
(cell) 651-202-0845
barbara.brady@mnnurses.org

Rick Fuentes
(office) 651-414-2863
(cell) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

(Minneapolis) – June 21, 2018 – Hundreds of activists from throughout the U.S. are marching for healthcare that serves patients, not insurance company profits, in downtown Minneapolis on June 22.

They are calling on the U.S. to replace the current broken healthcare system with improved and expanded Medicare for All, which would ensure all Americans receive quality, affordable healthcare.

The march begins outside the Radisson Blu at 35 S 7th St.
… Read more about: Press Release: Activists March for Guaranteed Healthcare in Downtown Minneapolis June 22  »

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In: Home, Politics, Press Releases

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Contact: Barbara Brady
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
barbara.brady@mnnurses.org
 
Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

(Mankato) – June 20, 2018 – The Minnesota Nurses Association condemn the continued “Zero Tolerance” policy of the Trump Administration that has incarcerated immigrant children at the US border.  The MNA Board of Directors issued a resolution today that President Donald Trump’s Executive Order continues to violate federal law and cause severe and irreparable harm to these children.

“As nurses, we cannot ignore the health implications of Trump’s immigration policies,” said Mary C.
… Read more about: Press Release: MNA Nurses Condemn Trump Policy of Separation of Immigrant Children  »

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In: Activism, Affordable Care Act, Home, Insurance, Nurses, Single Payer

By Tara Fugate

MNA Strategic Researcher

 

This Friday, June 22nd, nurses and hundreds of progressive activists from across the country are gathering in Minneapolis to support a simple, fair, and universal healthcare reform of the American healthcare system. Join MNA nurses and others in supporting an improved and expanded Medicare for All system by attending the March for Guaranteed Healthcare.

Healthcare is an undeniable basic need for every American. Yet, many still lack access to affordable care. Millions of Americans are uninsured or underinsured and make the challenging decision to delay or skip seeking care in order to avoid overwhelming medical debt.
… Read more about: March for Guaranteed Healthcare  »

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In: Home, Nurses, Unions

By Megan Gavin

MNA Education Specialist

Somebody described an excellent MNA chairperson like an octopus with arms everywhere reaching out to nurses and solving problems. As the highest level of MNA leadership within facilities, the MNA chairperson is the lifeblood of our organization. While MNA chairs do a hundred things before breakfast, their most important role is to ensure representation of bargaining unit members. Chairs facilitate the LMC process, negotiating with management throughout the duration of the contract. When members have complaints or concerns, it’s the chair who will hear first; it’s the chair who bears the brunt of frustrations; and they also lend a shoulder to cry on while listening to a nurse’s heart-breaking circumstances.
… Read more about: The State of the Union: MNA Chair Leadership Retreat  »

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In: Activism, Governor, Home, Nurse Compact, Politics

By Laura Sayles

MNA Government Affairs Specialist

Just a day after the 2018 Session ended, it’s still hard to know the final outcome of Session. The Governor has 14 days to decide whether to sign or veto a variety of bills: the omnibus budget bill, a second tax bill that also contains some money for school safety, the bonding bill, and the pension bill are among those that are waiting for Dayton to take action.

While it may feel like a lot of legislating takes place behind closed doors and late at night, we already know that the voices of the citizens of Minnesota made a difference in ensuring that the Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact and the Medicaid Work Requirements bill did not pass this Session.
… Read more about: Your Voice Matters  »

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In: Action, Board of Nursing, Home, Nurses, Unsafe Staffing

By Carrie Mortrud, RN

MNA Policy Project Specialist

Imagine this scenario.

You arrive at work at 3 p.m. and receive your 4-patient assignment. You begin reading about your patients prior to receiving report from the nurses on the day shift who cared for them before you. From the patient Kardex’s and flow sheets (I just dated myself) it seems as though this 4-patient assignment might be too much, unsafe, unrealistic, and impossible to progress the plan of care for the patients. Still, you reserve judgement until you hear from the nurses who cared for them during the day.

Patient 1 is heavy.
… Read more about: Whose decision is it anyway?  »