Activism

On:
In: Activism, Home

On the 20th anniversary of his death, we remember Senator Paul Wellstone as an ardent supporter of nurses, workers’ rights, and Minnesota communities. His activism for underserved communities and work as a legislator inspired a generation of Minnesotans to get involved in politics, many for the first time

He made such an impact that we began awarding the Paul & Sheila Wellstone Social Justice Award in 2003 to honor a nurse, elected official, or community leader who demonstrates a lifetime achievement of working to better the lives of others by increasing their access to quality healthcare. The recipient speaks out courageously and consistently for others as Paul and Sheila Wellstone did during his career in politics and community activism, and whose unwavering voice on behalf of those who have none is clear and undiminished by political tides.
… Read more about: Paul Wellstone’s MNA Legacy  »

On:
In: Activism, Elections, Home, Member Blog, Nurses, Volunteer

by Rachel Hanneman, RN

Being a nurse these days is unrelenting. The expectation to multitask has long since been normalized as an expectation and, as family demands continue to mount, finding “extra” time for additional hobbies shrinks like your favorite jeans in the dryer.

Between working full time, parenting two young children with busy activities, and trying to maintain a work-life balance of personal needs, the request to volunteer seemed downright illogical to me. Asking me to commute to the MNA office to phone bank and be back in time to pick my kids up from the bus stop while spending money on gas?
… Read more about: Electing nurse-endorsed candidates—from the couch!  »

On:
In: Activism, Bargaining, Children's Hospital, Home, Nursing

Nurses and support staff are not cogs on a wheel. We are the engine that drives the car, and a car without an engine is worthless. A CEO and management team who do not understand this fact will undervalue the very thing that drives the success of their organization. 

The future of this hospital matters. For so many years it has been a point of pride to be a Children’s employee, but lately it seems the “business of healthcare” has reached the corporate point of no return. We now seem to be a business first and a hospital second.
… Read more about: It’s Nurses Week and I challenge Children’s Leadership to BE AMAZING!   »

On:
In: Activism, Education, Healthcare, Nurse education

Do you care about children? 

Then I ask you: What could be more life altering than living through the trauma of having your sexuality, your sexual intimacy, your sexual privacy traded, bought or sold? What could be more dehumanizing than walking through the world experiencing this and thinking that no one sees you, no one cares enough to try to stop sexual harm from happening to you?  

Children in the upper Midwest are living in this reality. We encounter these children in our healthcare facilities. They are being traded, bought and sold. According to the office of the Minnesota Attorney General:  

Minneapolis is one of the top locations in the U.S.
… Read more about: Online Education Opportunity: Identifying and Responding to Signs of Sexual Exploitation: A Training for Nurses   »

On:
In: Activism, Hospitals, Issues, 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: 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: Activism, Essentia, Hospitals, Patient Safety

Late last year, nurses in North Dakota and northern Minnesota learned of a plan from Essentia Health to pursue acquisition talks with CHI/Common Spirit Health Care. The plan was for Essentia Health to acquire 14 facilities and take over management and services they provide to mainly rural communities across northern Minnesota and North Dakota.

From the start, MNA members were concerned about the implications this deal would have on patient care in many critical access facilities. Nurses were familiar with the past dealings of Essentia in Moose Lake, taking over the small community hospital and immediately shuttering services and sending patients to the system hub in Duluth.
… Read more about: Nurses celebrate a win as CHI/Essentia merger falls through  »

On:
In: Activism, Allina, Labor Unions

Ensuring patients are safe, healthy and cared for is the ultimate goal in Healthcare. Without support staff, this goal cannot be met.

Think about a typical day on a unit and the teamwork that is needed to provide safe, whole person care—the nurses and CNAs at the bedside, the staff transporting your patients between procedures, the staff answering calls, the staff sitting with a patient overnight, the staff drawing labs, the staff delivering meal trays or fresh linens, the staff assisting a frail patient to a chair—the list is endless.

Support staff work hard to ensure that you have what you need to properly care for patients.
… Read more about: A Shift Without Support  »

On:
In: Activism, Education, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nonprofit

By Geri Katz

Manager of Practice, Education and Special Projects

and Megan Gavin

MNA Labor Representative

 

MNA member Hans-Peter de Ruiter, PhD, RN, has retired from the Minnesota Nurses Association Foundation Board of Directors after nine years of service, including five years as chair.

 

Hans has led the MNAF board in awarding scholarships and grants to promising students and nurses whose academic pursuits will help support MNA’s mission and goals and make real improvements in care and building power for nurses. Hans led the MNAF board in expanding scholarship offerings considerably.
… Read more about: Thank you to Dr. Hans-Peter de Ruiter  »