Board of Nursing

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In: Board of Nursing, Home, Keeping Nurses at the Bedside, Legislative Policy, Mary Turner, Nurse Staffing, Nurses Shortage, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sam Fettig
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org
Lauren Nielsen
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

New report from Board of Nursing underscores that there is no workforce shortage, but a crisis of retention in our hospitals
Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act advancing at the legislature to address retention, short staffing, and patient care

(St. Paul) – April 25, 2023 – New data just released by the Minnesota Board of Nursing shows that the state has added 8,000 new Registered Nurses so far since 2022, bringing the total number licensed in the state to more than 130,000.
… Read more about: Minnesota adds 8,000 registered nurses this year, over 130,000 now licensed in state    »

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In: Board of Nursing, Drug Diversion, Health Professionals Services Program, Home

By Jackie Russell, RN BSN JD

MNA Nursing Practice and Regulatory Affairs Specialist

 

“There’s 50 mcgs. missing, that can’t be accounted for. Do you have any idea what may have happened to the 50 mcgs?” asked the nurse manager.

 

“I don’t know,” replied the nurse. “I must have given it.”

 

“But it’s not documented, the nurse manager said, and the pharmacy report doesn’t show it was wasted either.”

 

“Well,” said the nurse, “I could have lost it in my pocket. You know how you can lose drugs from the syringe into the cap?
… Read more about: Employers Are Watching for Drug Diversion  »

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In: Board of Nursing, Home

By Cameron Fure

MNA Political Organizer

MNA members have a wide array of ways to get active in their organization. Advocacy beyond the bedside can take many forms whether it be serving as a steward at your hospital, on your unions negotiating team, on an MNA Board or commission, getting involved in an MNA nurse-endorsed political campaign, or coming to the Capitol to advocate for your patients. One way that you can have a huge impact is by applying to serve on the Minnesota Board of Nursing.

The time commitment can vary year to year but you could expect 12-15 hours a month on average.
… Read more about: Nurses Care, Nurses Serve  »

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In: Board of Nursing, Member Blog, Nurses

Barbara Forshier, RN, BSN, JD

MNA Member

 

Editor’s Note:  The Author is an Attorney for Nurses

 

Nurses frequently ask me whether or not they should have their own professional liability insurance. The answer is yes, you should carry your own insurance. You insure your home, your car, your health, why would you not insure your ability to practice your profession, your livelihood? Some nurses “have heard” that if you carry malpractice insurance you are more likely to be sued in a medical malpractice case. This is not true.

Now, you may ask, what about my employer, don’t they cover me?
… Read more about: To Have or Not to Have Malpractice/Liability Insurance  »

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In: Activism, Board of Nursing, Home

By Jackie Russell

MNA Nursing Practice and Regulatory Affairs Specialist

MNA offers nurses many opportunities to expand your patient advocacy beyond the bedside by getting involved in your union at the bargaining unit, state, and national levels.

You can also speak up for patients in the public arena. MNA provides many avenues for you to help candidates who support nurse issues, and influence public policy through contacting your elected officials, participating in events like the Feb. 11-12 Day on the Hill, and testifying at hearings.

There’s another opportunity for nurses to advocate: serve on an advisory state board or commission involved in nursing or healthcare issues.
… Read more about: Another way to advocate for your patients and the nursing profession  »

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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?  »

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In: Board of Nursing, Home, Nurse licensure, Nurses, Substance Abuse

By Eileen Gavin

MNA Political Organizer

 

Atlanta drug rehab defines substance use disorder (SUD), also known as drug use disorder, as a condition in which the use of one or more substances leads to a clinically significant impairment or distress. Substance use disorders occur when the recurrent use of alcohol and/or drugs causes clinically significant impairment, including health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) In 2014, about 21.5 million Americans (8.1%) were classified with a substance use disorder in the past year.
… Read more about: Nurses Helping Nurses  »