Minnesota Nurses Association (Page 12)

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(St. Paul, MN – Feb. 14, 2014)    32 registered nurses at Abbott Northwestern Westhealth Emergency Department and Urgent Care on Thursday overwhelmingly voted for a voice at work through contract representation by the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA). In a secret ballot election, conducted by the National Labor Relations Board, nurses voted by 92% to join MNA.

Many of the nurses at the new stand-alone emergency/urgent care unit located in the Twin Cities suburb of Plymouth have worked at other MNA contract facilities  and were eager for the same opportunity to have a voice in their workplace to be able to advocate for themselves and their patients. 
… Read more about: Nurses at Abbott Northwestern-Westhealth Vote for Union Representation with Minnesota Nurses Association  »

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18MNA nurses conducted an informational picket on Tues., Feb. 11 to support colleagues from Regina Medical Center to highlight concerns the Hastings community and its nurses are being considered second-rate by corporate management.

Allina Healthcare’s proposals to Regina Medical Center and its Registered Nurses represent a second-rate commitment to the delivery of quality nursing care in the community relative to the care residents receive in every other area served by Allina full-service hospitals.

MNA nurses from Abbott Northwestern with support from other Allina facilities and MNA-represented hospitals all donned red to march in solidarity along Chicago Ave. in front of Abbott Northwestern Hospital. 
… Read more about: Abbott Nurses "Get the Red Out" to Support Hastings Colleagues  »

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Megan 2“I’d go back tomorrow,” states MNA member Megan Cassidy if she were asked to return to typhoon-ravaged Roxas City, Philippines.  And she’d be warmly welcomed by residents as well as the Registered Nurse Relief Network (RNRN) operation continuing to provide health services nearly three months after the area was decimated.

“The people we served are so appreciative that we keep coming,” said Cassidy who is back at her job as a pediatric nurse at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis after volunteering in the Philippines from Jan. 15 – 27.  “But at the end of the day, it was my privilege to be there,” she added. 
… Read more about: RNs Still Make A Difference in Philippines  »

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Caucus-inviteAn Invitation from MNA President Linda Hamilton

2014 is an  important election year for nurses and the communities we care for and live in. The entire Minnesota House of Representatives is up for re-election, as well as the Governor, U.S. Senator Franken, all eight members of Congress and countless local races.

These elected officials make decisions about nursing and health care that affect our profession, our patients and our families. We must speak up for nursing values of caring, compassion and community. If we don’t advocate for our patients and our profession, no one will.

Start out by attending your party’s Caucus Night, Feb.
… Read more about: Nurse Power at Caucus Night Feb. 4  »

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In: Health Care Reform, Healthcare, Hospitals, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurses, Nursing, Patient Safety, Patient Safety Standards, Standards of Care

2013-Adverse-EventNurses of the Minnesota Nurses Association are pleased to see reductions in adverse events as reported in the 2013 Adverse Event Report by the Minnesota Department of Health but caution patients that the annual report of preventable errors in hospitals doesn’t tell the whole story of patient safety. They say no patient should suffer a fatal fall if they receive the proper nursing care.  Read More of MNA’s Statement

Read the full report
… Read more about: Nurses React to 2013 Adverse Event Report  »

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On Monday, Dec. 23, nearly 100 nurses and community supporters gathered in sub-zero  weather determined to send  a message of solidarity to Allina corporation.  “We give first-rate care to our patients, and we don’t deserve to be treated like second-class citizens,” said nurse Linda Held.

Allina assumed ownership of Regina Medical Center in Hastings in the Fall 2013, but current contract negotiations have come up short on proposals to provide  benefits that are equal to other Allina facilities, some just a short 20-minute drive away.

MNA has negotiated equitable insurance and pension benefits for nurses at Allina facilities in other cities beyond the metro area, such as Buffalo and Cambridge.  
… Read more about: Candlelight Vigil Illuminates Hastings Nurses’ Desire for A Christmas Marvel  »

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Owatonna   A management tactic to intimidate the MNA bargaining team at Owatonna Hospital backfired during recent contract negotiations. Instead of backing down after all four members simultaneously received disciplinary coaching on the solicitation policy for distributing materials, the bargaining team grew more determined to win a fair contract.
Their attitude was fortified by enthusiastic support from their 150 colleagues. A crowd of nurses turned out at a Nov. 18 action prior to a bargaining session to demonstrate the confidence in their team. The group also conveyed its resolve to hold hospital management accountable for a promise it made seven years ago that wages and benefits for Owatonna nurses would match metro compensation.
… Read more about: Owatonna Nurses Ratify Agreement  »

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Petition is here:  http://www.thepetitionsite.com/949/229/314/support-nursing-student-in-the-pursuit-of-leadership-and-evolution-of-the-nursing-profession/

According to the landmark report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health Report; nurses, nursing education programs, and nursing associations should prepare the nursing workforce to assume leadership positions across all levels.

Through nurses’ involvement in professional organizations, nurses also can have an impact on maintaining momentum as well as on creating innovative ways of implementing the IOM recommendations. Just as nursing students have an impact through involvement with NSNA, as evidenced by the article entitled “Nursing students make the world a better place through policy development,” new nurses who have experienced shared governance through their participation in the NSNA are vested in decision making and understand how policy influences systems and impacts quality nursing care.
… Read more about: Please Sign the Minnesota Student Nurse Association Petition  »

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By Anna Rathbun, RN

We all made it safe and sound to Roxas city.  The airport missing part of its roof. We went to a more rural setting from there.  So far, we have seen over 1,200 patients.  We are paired with a team from Singapore with two doctors and four nurses.  Nurses with the National Nurses United RNRN program have been doing triage and procedures like wound debridgement and incision and drainage.   We have one nurse practitioner and I am one of five RNs.  People here have lots of respiratory problems because so many people here burn their trash every night.   There are constant fires, and most houses are built only a few meters from the roads. 
… Read more about: Duluth RN reports from the Philippines  »

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   Tough contract negotiations were no match for the 64 gutsy nurses at First Light Health Services in Mora. A 25-bed critical access facility, the hospital is owned and operated by Kanabec County, and nurses routinely care for their neighbors, friends and families. The fight to keep good nurses at the bedside was very personal for the bargaining team.
   A proposal by hospital administration to reduce health insurance benefits flew in the face of reason for the whole bargaining team, especially in regard to patient satisfaction. “If nurses aren’t happy, patients won’t be happy,” said Bargaining Unit Chair Margie Odendahl, RN.
As negotiations went on, nurses grew more determined.
… Read more about: First Light Nurses Are a Beacon of Success  »