Legislative Policy (Page 6)

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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  »

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In: Home, Legislative Policy, Member Blog

Note: the below is the opinion of the signed authors.

MNA Members, thank you for your service to your fellow members and communities. The work you do is essential to advancing the mission of the Minnesota Nurses Association and having a positive impact on the patients we serve.

As you know, working within our political system is a natural extension of our mission.  Through this work, we have been able to realize many of our priorities including

  • Fending off Right to Work legislation
  • Ratifying the contracts of our State of Minnesota nurse coworkers
  • Passing workplace violence legislation
  • Ensuring workers compensation coverage for nurses who contract COVID-19 at work
  • Defending our licensure standards by defeating the Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact
  • Passing the Safe Patient Handling Program statute requiring all health care facilities to have written patient handling policies to reduce workplace injuries

At this year’s House of Delegates, we will be considering a resolution (R1: Political Independence and Power for MNA) barring MNA from endorsing, supporting, or contributing money, labor, or support to candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties.
… Read more about: Member Blog: Now is the Time for Involvement in the Legislative Process  »

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In: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Hospitals, Legislative Policy, PPE, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
​
Contact:  Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org
Amber Smigiel
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.org
​

(St. Paul) – April 22, 2020 – MNA Nurses applaud the measure passed by St. Paul City Council members to tell United and other hospitals to implement the highest standards of infection protection policies to protect workers. Council members drafted the resolution after hearing the stories from emergency department (ED) workers at United Hospital.

“Nurses were afraid to come to work,” said Brittany Livaccari, a Registered Nurse at United Hospital in St.
… Read more about: MNA Nurses Applaud St. Paul Council Measure to Protect COVID-19 Frontline Workers  »

nurse workplace violence

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In: Bargaining, Home, Legislative Policy, Nurse education, Patient Safety, Politics, Unions, Women, Workplace violence prevention

By Jackie Russell, RN JD

Nursing Practice and Regulatory Affairs Specialist

 

On the CDC website there is a Workplace Violence Prevention for Nurses Course (CDC Course No. WB2908–NIOSH Pub. No. 2013-155). It’s free. It’s interactive. (here’s the link to attend:  https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/violence/training_nurses.html) It’s designed to “help healthcare workers better understand the scope and nature of violence in the workplace.” And it hasn’t been updated since 2016 (last reviewed, 2017).

If you take the course, you will learn the definition, types, and prevalence of violence; workplace violence consequences; risk factors for type II and III violence; prevention strategies for organizations; prevention strategies for nurses; and a post event response.
… Read more about: What Is Workplace Violence Prevention?  »

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In: Home, Legislative Policy, Press Releases

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

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

 

(St. Paul) – March 25, 2019 – The budget targets unveiled by Minnesota House DFL leaders today make wise investments in Minnesota’s future, according to the Minnesota Nurses Association.

“Nurses applaud proposals to invest in healthcare, education, infrastructure and tax fairness,” said MNA President Mary C. Turner, RN. “This plan put Minnesota on the right path.”

Turner said proposals to implement health insurance discounts for individuals  and continue the provider tax that funds MinnesotaCare will help nurses provide patients with the care they need and deserve.
… Read more about: Press Release: House budget targets make the right investments in Minnesota’s future  »

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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: Activism, Bargaining, Day On the Hill, Home, Legislative Policy, Politics

By Jackie O’Shea

MNA Political Organizer

 

Change isn’t something that happens in a vacuum. As a labor union, we know continued education, organizing, and mobilizing are key.  We must stand together as workers, united in one voice, if we want to create the change we desire. This is how we beat back profit-driven employers that would dismantle our rights to collectively advocate for change to better our working conditions and our patients. Politics is no different.

 

As with our contracts, we know singular wins don’t translate to lasting power in our workplaces. Just like with employers, we need to hold politicians accountable at the ballot box and at the Capitol.
… Read more about: If You Want Change, Tell Your Story  »

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In: Activism, Home, Legislative Policy, Nurse Compact, Nurses, Politics, Unions, Volunteer

By Julie Anderson, RN

Governmental Affairs Commissioner

 

There is a lot at stake in the upcoming midterm elections. Like many other nurses, I was excited to find out that a fellow nurse and an inspiring leader, Erin Murphy, was running for governor. I thrusted myself into the campaign and volunteered with the Nurses for Erin campaign. I did phonebanks, door knocks, attended meetings, had face to face interactions, attended the DFL convention as a delegate, and, of course, I voted for Erin for Minnesota governor in the primaries. After the primary went the other way without Erin Murphy representing the DFL on the ballot, I suddenly found myself asking “what now?” I realized, though, that my work was far from over.
… Read more about: Newly Political Nurse Now Permanently Active  »

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In: Home, Legislative Policy, Single Payer

By Jon Tollefson

MNA Government Relations Specialist

 

As the legislative session enters its final two weeks, nurses can be frustrated with profound level of inaction these past few months at the State Capitol. The legislature had the opportunity to open MinnesotaCare to anyone who can’t access health insurance through their employer or spouse. Over 100,000 Minnesotans buy their insurance on the “individual market” through MNsure, but skyrocketing premiums and high deductibles have made that unaffordable for many. Instead of opening up MinnesotaCare last year to anyone who needed it, the legislature gave the insurance industry an almost $1 billion giveaway in taxpayer funds.
… Read more about: Missed Opportunities  »

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In: Activism, Home, Legislative Policy, Member Blog, Student Nurses

By Sadie Cross, RN

Mercy Hospital, Moose Lake

Student, Bemidji State University

As a baccalaureate student from Bemidji State University and an MNA member, I participated in the April 10 Student Nurses Day on the Hill as a listener, learner, critic, and advocate.

I must admit I was initially disappointed when the March MNA Nurses Day on the Hill was canceled due to weather, but now I can say I’m thankful my first experience at an MNA event was with other students.

I felt the morning session was a good introduction to MNA and the benefits of union membership and advocating for the nursing profession, which many nursing students may not be very familiar with.
… Read more about: Student Day on the Hill reignites passion to loosen grip of ignorance and inequality  »