Nurses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Shannon Cunningham
(c) 651-269-1418
Shannon.Cunningham@mnnurses.org

 

(St. Paul) – June 4, 2025 – Thousands of nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) held an informational picket today at 11 Twin Cities hospitals and two Duluth hospitals to highlight issues at the core of their ongoing contract fight with hospital executives. Nurses across the state are in the midst of a staffing crisis and continue to cite staffing as their number one issue in bargaining. Having enough nurses per patient not only benefits patients, but it also reduces injury and violence on the job, keeps experienced nurses at the bedside, and saves healthcare systems desperately needed funds.
… Read more about: Nurses picket Twin Cities, Duluth hospitals as 15,000 seek new contracts that prioritize patient safety  »

As part of our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration, we’re proud to spotlight the inspiring journey of Patrick Simon Soria and Nina Angelie Lio-Soria—two Filipino American nurses whose commitment to care, advocacy, and leadership exemplify the heart of the profession. Their story is not only about nursing—it’s about heritage, identity, and creating meaningful change in healthcare and beyond.

Q: Can you tell us a little about your journey to becoming a nurse?

Image of Patrick and Nina standing in front of a decorated Christmas Tree in Chicago, Illinois.Patrick: Becoming a nurse was never just a job—it was part of my family’s legacy. On my dad’s side, healthcare runs deep.
… Read more about: AANHPI Heritage Month Spotlight: Patrick & Nina’s Nursing Journey  »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Shannon Cunningham
(c) 651-269-1418
shannon.cunningham@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – May 20, 2025 – Nurses and community members across the Twin Cities are raising urgent concerns over worsening patient care and understaffing in local hospitals—even as the major health systems benefiting from tax-exempt status fail to meet their basic obligations to the public.

Since the 1950s, hospitals have been required to give back to their communities with the savings they receive in lieu of paying taxes. Yet, a new report by the Minnesota Nurses Association and National Nurses United found that major Minnesota hospitals are breaking their bargain with the public.
… Read more about: Nurses sound the alarm as Twin Cities hospitals pocket tax breaks, cut patient care  »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Laurie Laker
 (c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org 

(St. Paul) – March 28, 2025 – A recent announcement by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz rolling back the state telework policy has left Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) members working for the state of Minnesota shocked and frustrated. Governor Walz’s mandate would give state employees just over 9 weeks to make this adjustment, requiring them to work onsite at least 50% of their working days each month. Nurses expect this policy reversal to have a chilling effect on the state’s progress in hiring nurses for much needed roles in state agencies 

Nursing roles within the state of Minnesota have been historically difficult to fill due to the significantly lower salaries offered by the state.
… Read more about: Minnesota nurses rebuke Governor’s directive to return to office  »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Laurie Laker
(c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org 

(St. Paul) – March 27, 2025 – The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) is raising the alarm about devastating impacts that will come because of the $226 million federal funding cut to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). This funding loss threatens to create an immediate and significant public health crisis across our state.  

As a leading voice of public health and patient advocacy in the state, the duty of nurse extends far beyond the bedside. Nurses are advocates for public health and committed to protecting our patients and the communities we serve.
… Read more about: Minnesota nurses stand against devastating cuts to public health funding     »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Laurie Laker 
(c) 612-741-0662 
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org   

(St. Paul) – March 27, 2025 – With the resignation of Jennifer DeCubellis as CEO of Hennepin Healthcare, nurses represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) are calling for a new direction in leadership—one that prioritizes public service, patient care, and worker respect. 

Hennepin Healthcare nurses overwhelmingly cast a vote of “No Confidence” in DeCubellis in November 2023, citing harmful decisions that increased healthcare costs for workers, undermined labor rights, and reduced essential services. While her departure is long overdue, the need for strong, collaborative leadership has never been greater. 
… Read more about: MNA HHS Tri-Chairs welcome DeCubellis’ departure from Hennepin Healthcare   »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Laurie Laker
(c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org    

(St. Paul) – February 27, 2025 – Nurses of the Minnesota Nurses Association today announced their endorsement of David Gottfried for the House District 40B special election of the Minnesota House of Representatives. The election will be held on March 11, 2025. 

Candidates who receive endorsements are recognized for their commitment to standing with nurses and addressing the pressing challenges facing both healthcare professionals and patients. To secure this support, candidates must demonstrate a clear dedication to improving working conditions for nurses, strengthening patient care, and resisting the increasing corporatization and consolidation of the healthcare system.
… Read more about: Nurses announce endorsement for Minnesota House District 40B special election  »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Laurie Laker
(c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org

(Duluth) – January 30, 2025 – Last night Essentia Health-Sandstone nurses represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) voted overwhelmingly to authorize an unfair labor practice strike if contract negotiations with the employer continue to stall.  Their contract expired on August 1, 2024, and, while they have been bargaining since July, nurses have made little progress with the employer on key issues like wages and staff retention.

Nurses at Sandstone have long been facing issues around staffing conditions, continually raising concerns about staff retention, nurses stepping away from the bedside, and now a cross-facility floating proposal from Essentia.
… Read more about: Essentia-Health Sandstone nurses vote to authorize strike amid faltering contract negotiations  »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Laurie Laker
(c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – January 21, 2025 – Last week, a group of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in Center City, MN have voted overwhelmingly to join the existing Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) as a new bargaining unit.  

The bargaining unit of 56 nurses includes 11 LPNs and 45 RNs, and each group voted in strong support of unionizing. This decision comes in response to growing frustrations among nurses, particularly after management removed benefits for employees working under a .75 full-time equivalent (FTE). 
… Read more about: Nurses at Center City’s Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation vote for MNA representation  »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Laurie Laker
(c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – January 16, 2025 – The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA), representing more than 22,000 nurses across the state, joins the nation’s largest union of registered nurses, National Nurses United (NNU), in celebrating the recognition of nurses as the most honest and ethical profession for the 23rd year in a row, according to the annual Gallup Honesty and Ethics poll.

“Nurses are deeply honored by this recognition from the public, which reaffirms the trust we work so hard to build every day,” said Chris Rubesch, RN, MNA President.
… Read more about: Nurses voted most honest and ethical profession for 23rd consecutive year  »