Nurses

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In: Action, Activism, Home, Labor Unions, Nurses, Organizing, Unions

By Cameron Fure

MNA Political Organizer

 

On Monday, July 15, workers at the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Shakopee held a picket to bring light to unfair working conditions at their sprawling worksite in the southeast metro. Workers from New York, Seattle, San Francisco and locations across Europe were also holding demonstrations to raise awareness on “Prime Day,” which is one of the largest shopping days of the year.

 

Workers were highlighting issues such as humane workloads, job security around not hiring “temp” workers, stopping unfair write-ups, investment in communities, and ending retaliation.

 

The event was organized by the Awood Center, which seeks to bring power to East African workers.
… Read more about: It’s a Prime Day to Stand up for Workers  »

On:
In: Home, Hospitals, Nurse education, Nurses, Patient Safety

By Jackie Russell, RN JD

MNA Nursing Practice and Regulatory Affairs Specialist

 

My middle-aged male patient worked a labor job. He came to our ED Triage from work wearing jeans and work boots. He was active. He had no significant health history but also chest pain. Because he didn’t have a cardiac history, was otherwise healthy, bright and chatty, he was placed on a monitor in a trauma room for further evaluation. I remember he said he was under stress at work, but I didn’t pry and we talked about other, benign things. Funny how we remember apparently insignificant details about our patients.
… Read more about: The More You Know and the Deskilling of Nursing Practice  »

nurse workplace violence

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In: Activism, Healthcare, Home, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurse education, Nurses, Nursing, Politics

By Jackie Russell, RN JD

Nursing Practice and Regulatory Affairs Specialist

 

The Commission on Nursing Practice and Education (“NP&E”) met on May 16, 2019 at the MNA office in Saint Paul. With so many changes in nursing practice as a result of Lean management and short staffing, the NP&E has recently made it a top priority of the commission to write three position papers or FAQs on relevant nursing practice topics before the end of the year.  The exact topics have not been decided, yet. Is there a practice issue you would like to see addressed? Email me at Jackie.Russell@mnnurses.org.
… Read more about: Nursing Practice and Education Commission Addresses Workplace Violence  »

On:
In: Events, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurses

MNA annually recognizes nurses who made important achievements in practice, research, activism and more at the Honors and Awards Ceremony at the MNA Convention. MNA nurses are doing incredible things in our communities! Do you know a nurse who has gone above and beyond and should receive an award and recognition of their work? The deadline for nominations for the MNA Honors and Awards is July 1.

Submit your nominations here!

*note originally published January 24

 

By Deb Meyer, RN


… Read more about: Don’t Miss Your Chance to Recognize the Outstanding Nurses in Your Life  »Deb Meyer, RN
Practice and Education Commissioner

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. 

nurse workplace violence

On:
In: Action, Activism, Anoka Mental Regional Treatment Center, Home, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurses, Nursing, Unsafe Staffing, Workplace violence prevention

By Jackie Russell, RN JD

Nursing Practice and Regulatory Affairs Specialist

and

Carrie Mortrud, RN

Nurse Staffing Specialist

“You need to work more efficiently!”

“You need to work smarter!”

“You need to work overtime!”

 

It’s called blaming the victim and all are highly inappropriate and unacceptable employer responses following an assault. Victim blaming is a poor defense. In fact, there is no good defense for assault. No excuses either.

The employer must stop blaming the employee-victim for an assault. The employer must take responsibility for their employees’ safety.
… Read more about: STOP VICTIM SHAMING! STOP BLAMING THE EMPLOYEES!  »

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In: Home, Nurses, Nurses Week, Nursing, Women

By Barbara Brady

MNA Communications Specialist

 

There’s one MNA nurse who walks the extra mile to provide care… literally.

In spite of heavy snowstorms, MNA Hennepin Healthcare Visiting Nurse Amy Edelstein still finds ways to get to her clients – even on foot.

Following a heavy storm last February, Edelstein strapped on snowshoes to travel the 2.5 miles to her client’s home.

“I thought it was nice outside and I still get to see the client without worrying about driving conditions and parking,” she says. “I had my MVNA backpack with what I needed.”

It’s not the first time Edelstein has braved the elements to see clients.
… Read more about: This is Why There’s a Nurse’s Week  »

On:
In: Healthcare, Home, Hospitals, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurses, Nursing, Politics

By Carrie Mortrud, RN

MNA Project Specialist

 

Ok, by now, you’ve probably heard the ignorant and irresponsible comments of Washington state Senator Maureen Walsh who attacked all nurses by opposing a bill aimed at guaranteeing breaks and stopping mandatory overtime.

Walsh unwisely said this while the Washington state Senate considered SHB 1155, which would provide nurses with uninterrupted meal and rest breaks.

“I would submit to you that those nurses probably do get breaks,” Walsh said on the Senate floor. “They probably play cards for a considerable amount of the day.”

Despite the ridiculousness of her comments, that doesn’t mean that every MNA member shouldn’t take something away from this ignorant comment, even though the Senator has said she regrets the remark (ironically, she claimed she was “tired” from no breaks at the Capitol.
… Read more about: Nurses Can Still Learn Something from Know-Nothing Politician  »

On:
In: Activism, Bargaining, Home, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurses

By Rick Fuentes

MNA Communications Specialist

 

Metro MNA members are taking their stories to the public. MNA has been advertising on I Heart Media radio stations and digital platforms about the issues nurses face every day at the bedside. On-air staff at I Heart Media have been very supportive of Metro nurses, especially K102’s Amy James, KDWB’s Dave Ryan, and KFAN’s Justin Guaard.

 

 

 

Of course, no one can tell the nurses’ stories better than the nurses. The first ad was voiced by Abbott Recovery Room nurse, Becky Nelson. 
… Read more about: Heard the New Radio Ad?  »

On:
In: Action, Day On the Hill, Nurses, Patient Safety, Politics, Standards of Care, Workplace violence prevention

By Diane McLaughlin, RN

Commission of Active Retired Nurses & Government Affairs Commissioner

 

It is so inspiring to see about 100 MNA nurses from all over Minnesota come together and speak up for patients with our legislators at the Capitol during the annual Day on the Hill this year.

The Feb. 11-12 event was as rewarding and inspiring as ever.

After an evening of socializing and training, we met with our own representatives and senators to use our voices as citizen lobbyists to talk about the issues impacting our patients and our profession.

I met with Rep.
… Read more about: One Word for MNA’s Nurses Day on the Hill: Phenomenal  »

On:
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  »