100 nurses delivered more than 2,000 Concern for Safe Staffing Forms to Commissioner of Health Ed Ehlinger. They lined up to tell their stories of unsafe staffing situations and the effects it has on patients.
… Read more about: Video: MNA Nurses Deliver Valentines to MN Dept of Health »
By Sherri Lidholm, Jodi Isaacs, Shannon Wilberg, Ellyn Peterson: Deer River Health Care Center negotiating team
Negotiations with Essentia Health in Deer River started with a “contraband” cake and ended with our members ratifying a contract that improves compensation, stems the tide of RNs leaving for better-paying jobs in nearby hospitals, and strengthens our union solidarity.
Bargaining got off to a bumpy start last September when we served a cake decorated with the MNA logo to passers-by in an area near the hospital lobby to kick off negotiations. Administration asked us to leave and canceled the next day’s negotiating session.
… Read more about: Nurse power pays off in Deer River »
150 MNA member nurses came to the Capitol in St. Paul to tell lawmakers they want a Safe Patient Standard and that nurses and patients are not safe in the workplace.
… Read more about: Video: 2015 MNA Nurses Day on the Hill »
Inspiring, empowering, and energizing. Those are some of the words MNA members used to describe Day on the Hill 2015.
About 150 RNs from throughout Minnesota stood up for their patients, their profession, and their communities at the February 9-10 event in St. Paul.
Members sat down with their legislators to share their experiences as bedside RNs to show why a Safe Patient Standard and workplace violence prevention legislation are needed. They told their personal stories of instances where patient safety was threatened because of understaffing; and times when they were subjected to workplace violence themselves.
… Read more about: Nurses bring 'passionate commitment' to 2015 Day on the Hill »
In response to recent attacks on nurses’ safety and their ability to provide safe, quality care for their patients, MNA members are speaking to legislators about safe patient staffing levels and workplace safety in 2015.
Nurses visited the Capitol January 28 to speak to legislators about the need for a Safe Patient Standard. They told lawmakers that patients are at risk when nurses have too many to care for at one time, and urged legislators to create a standard for nurse staffing that protects patient safety.
Nurses from North Memorial Medical Center “adopted” the day to talk specifically about the serious staffing issues facing the nurses and patients there.
… Read more about: When RNs speak, policymakers listen »
Hospitals Blatantly Disregard Minnesota Law
Patients, nurses, healthcare workers, and Minnesota citizens won a hard-fought victory in the 2013 legislative session when Governor Dayton signed into law the Staffing Plan Disclosure Act. The purpose of the Act was to increase hospital transparency and study the effects of nurse staffing on patient outcomes. Unfortunately, Minnesota hospitals have all but thumbed their nose at the state law, openly flaunting the demands of legislators and citizens alike.
Minnesota Department of Health Cites Lack of Hospital Cooperation
In order to study nurse staffing under the law, the Minnesota Department of Health convened a workgroup consisting of nurses, hospital administrators, and other key stakeholders.
… Read more about: Are Minnesota Hospitals Above the Law? »
By Mathew Keller, RN JD, MNA Nurse Policy Specialist
We’ve all heard the news about the “nursing crisis” or “nursing shortage,” but imagine my surprise when, after graduating fro
m the University of Minnesota’s BSN program about 10 years ago, my classmates and I had a difficult time finding jobs. In fact, many of my peers were eventually forced to take on travel nursing assignments. Several are still in California, Missouri, and even Hawaii.
We here at MNA take claims of a nursing shortage very seriously. One of our priorities is to advocate for the profession. But, after digging into the numbers, we were surprised by what we found.
… Read more about: Minnesota Nursing Shortage: Fact or Fiction? »
By Mathew Keller, RN JD, MNA Regulatory and Policy Nursing Specialist
In early August, Minnesota registered nurse Andy Gladstein had just completed his third week of an online RN to MSN program via Grand Canyon State University in Arizona. Andy had entered the program to further his education in response to national calls for increased nurse education, and he was excited about his progress. Much to his surprise, Andy was suddenly and without warning disenrolled by his university due to the Minnesota Board of Nursing’s old-fashioned views of online education. Because of the Board’s outdated views, Andy’s university was no longer willing to offer its courses to students located in Minnesota.
… Read more about: MN Board of Nursing’s Old-Fashioned Views Limit Nursing Education »
Nurses braved the cold to inform the public they are fighting for a fair contract that protects patients and nurses alike.
… Read more about: Video: MNA Nurses Informational Picket at Cambridge Medical Center »
RNs at Cambridge Medical Center made final preparations for their Nov. 20 informational picketing on Tuesday night.
MNA Cambridge members and their families turned out in force to make signs and other preparations for Thursday’s picketing.
The RNs say they are frustrated with the hospital’s emphasis on profit over patient care and staff.
RNs are very concerned about the hospital’s proposals during the current contract negotiations, and recent staff layoffs.
Community members are solidly behind nurses. “I support our nurses” signs are in yards and businesses throughout Cambridge, and community residents will join the RNs on the picket line on Thursday.
… Read more about: Cambridge RNs ready for Nov. 20 informational picketing »