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In: Home, Organizing, Press Releases

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

(Bismarck, N.D.) – March 6, 2019 – An overwhelming majority of registered nurses at CHI St. Alexius Medical Center chose to be represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association during two days of voting this week.

“St. Alexius nurses want to provide top quality care to all our patients by having a voice in our workplace,” said Margo Maxon, an RN at the hospital. “Nurses believe coming together and speaking with one voice is the best way to advocate for our patients.”

“MNA members welcome St. Alexius nurses to our union family,” said MNA President Mary C.
… Read more about: Press Release: St. Alexius nurses in North Dakota vote to affiliate with Minnesota Nurses Association  »

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In: Allina, Home, Hospitals, National Nurses United

By Tara Fugate

MNA Strategic Researcher

 

Minnesota hospital charges are rising and have been for decades, but the difference between what hospitals charge patients and the amount hospitals need to deliver care is not often discussed. How much does it actually cost hospitals to provide care? The answer is: it varies. However, one thing is consistent across the state, every hospital included in a recent National Nurses United and Minnesota Nurses Association study charges more than the “cost” of delivering care. The “cost” of delivering care refers not only to direct labor and supply costs but also to administrative and general costs, such as maintenance and housekeeping.
… Read more about: Report Shows Hospital Pricing Rising Faster than Economy  »

On:
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: Home, Member Blog, Nurses

By Alex Machlica, RN

United Hospital steward

 

For the past couple years, United Hospital’s management has been inconsistent in the use of sick leave for nurses’ paternity or maternity leaves. In some cases, management has allowed nurses to use sick leave for part of or all of their leaves; and in other cases, management has required nurses to use vacation leave in order to get paid from the first day.

 

Management has also denied new fathers any use of sick leave on the grounds that the contract only allows the use of sick leave for one’s own illness.
… Read more about: Paternity parity victory  »

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In: Activism, Day On the Hill, Home, Press Releases

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

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

​
(St. Paul) –   February 8, 2019 –  Minnesota Nurses Association nurses and healthcare advocates will call for legislators and businesses to put patients before profits and support expanding access to quality, affordable healthcare for all, including initiatives currently before the Legislature at a 2 p.m. rally in the Minnesota Capitol Rotunda on February 12. Representatives from MNA, ISAIAH, the Land Stewardship Project, the Main Street Alliance, the Minnesota AFL-CIO, and TakeAction Minnesota will share stories in support of expanding MinnesotaCare, removing the sunset of the provider tax that funds MinnesotaCare, reducing prescription drug costs, strengthening workplace safety, and improving hospital staffing levels.
… Read more about: Media Advisory: Minnesota Nurses, Healthcare Advocates Rally on Feb. 12  »

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In: Action, Bargaining, Home, Member Blog

By Shannon Paysse and Kyle Zelinske

MNA Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center Co-Chairs

 

When our SEIU colleagues at Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd asked MNA nurses to support them over a costly change to their health insurance last year, we wasted no time assisting them.

 

Essentia Health’s decision to change health insurance in Brainerd put SEIU workers in a precarious position. Their contract contained a cap on how much the employer paid in premiums, something nurses had previously negotiated out of their contract. SEIU workers faced much higher family premium costs as a result of the change in health insurance.
… Read more about: MNA nurses have our union colleagues’ backs  »

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In: Home, Nurse education, Nurse licensure, Nurses, Nursing Practice

By Jackie Russell, RN, JD

MNA Nursing, Practice, and Regulatory Affairs Specialist

 

If it’s not documented, it’s not done. But what if it is documented and it’s not done?

 

Healthcare facilities throughout Minnesota are short staffed. Patient acuities are high, and lean management demands nurses spend less time with patients, which is distressing to nurses. Nurses have a duty to provide nursing care within their scope of practice and to practice safely. Priorities shift quickly on a short-staffed unit. To provide optimal nursing care on a short-staffed unit– from beginning to end of shift–leaves little time for timely documentation.
… Read more about: If it’s not documented, it’s not done. But what if it is documented and it’s not done?  »

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In: Bargaining, Home, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses

By Emily Sippola, RN

MNA Member, United Hospital Tri-Chair

Months after the 2016 Allina strike, MNA nurses at United Hospital were surprised to find that the employer had unilaterally decide to change the calculation for our sick leave incentive bonus, which rewards nurses for not using sick time.

In May 2017, Allina decided to not count the hours United Hospital nurses were on strike toward “Regularly Scheduled Hours” and provided our sick time incentive bonus based on a lower number of hours nurses worked.

Nurses quickly filed a grievance based on the fact that the contract provides for upgrading Regularly Scheduled Hours based on additional hours worked but does not provide for downgrading based on hours on strike.
… Read more about: United Hospital nurses celebrate grievance victory over sick leave incentive  »

On:
In: Activism, Home, Legislative Policy, Member Blog

By Jean Forman, RN

Chair, MNA Government Affairs Commission

Our 2019 Minnesota legislature has been sworn in! Thanks to many hours by engaged nurses on the phones and on the doors as well as countless conversations this past year, Minnesota voters have elected leaders who have set forth a “Top 10” values.

Agenda that includes:

  1. HF 1: The Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act
  2. HF 2: K-12 Student Support Legislation
  3. HF 3: MinnesotaCare Buy-In
  4. HF 4: Preventing prescription drug price gouging
  5. HF 5: Paid Family & Medical Leave and Earned Sick & Safe Time
  6. HF 6: Wage Theft prevention and enforcement
  7. HF 7: Rural broadband expansion
  8. HF 8: Keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people through a criminal free check
  9. HF 9: Preventing gun violence through Extreme Risk Protection Orders
  10. HF 10: Protecting Minnesotans from sexual harassment.

    11. … Read more about: Minnesota Legislators Already Proposing Nurse Values-driven Policy  »

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In: Home, Member Blog

By Deb Meyer, RN
… Read more about: Be a Winner at the MNA Awards  »

Practice and Education Commissioner

Nurses are doing great things every day, and we need to recognize these nurses, which we do annually at the the Minnesota Nurses Association Honors and Awards banquet during the annual convention in October.  Every MNA member is eligible, and there are even awards for friends of MNA too.  All you have to do is nominate them.

 As you work side by side with your co-workers in the next few months, keep these awards in mind.  The President’s award is selected by the MNA President, but the remainder of the awards can be nominated by members.