Nursing

Posts categorized as Nursing also pull into the Member Resources > Nursing Practices page.

On:
In: Activism, Bargaining, Children's Hospital, Home, Nursing

Nurses and support staff are not cogs on a wheel. We are the engine that drives the car, and a car without an engine is worthless. A CEO and management team who do not understand this fact will undervalue the very thing that drives the success of their organization. 

The future of this hospital matters. For so many years it has been a point of pride to be a Children’s employee, but lately it seems the “business of healthcare” has reached the corporate point of no return. We now seem to be a business first and a hospital second.
… Read more about: It’s Nurses Week and I challenge Children’s Leadership to BE AMAZING!   »

On:
In: Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurses, Nursing

Written by Mary Kirsling, Retired RN from Essentia Health – St. Mary’s Duluth, Member of Honors & Awards Committee

I have been a member of the MNA Honors and Awards Committee for several years. While I have served on many committees, this is my favorite. We have the privilege of learning about nurses who excel–individuals who mentor, inspire, encourage, lead, educate, and innovate. As a previous recipient, I cannot overstate how thrilling it is and how much it means to receive one of these awards. Most recipients are unaware of the difference they make and recognition from peers is one of the best honors to receive.
… Read more about: Nominate someone to be honored by MNA  »

On:
In: Healthcare, Hospitals, Nurse Staffing, Nurses, Nurses Shortage, Nursing, Press Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact: Sam Fettig
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

(Duluth) – March 29, 2022 – At 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2022, Minnesota nurses will share the results of a new survey analyzing why nearly 750 nurses left bedside care positions within the last two years. Nurses who have retired early or have otherwise been pushed out of bedside care will share their stories and discuss the findings of the new report.

The report – “Why We Left: 2022 Nursing Workforce Report” – was compiled by the Minnesota Nurses Association based on a survey of 748 nurses who left an MNA-represented nursing job in the past two years and did not take a new job in another MNA-represented facility.
… Read more about: ‘Why We Left’ – Minnesota nurses to discuss retention crisis, release new nursing workforce report  »

On:
In: Home, Issues, Mary Turner, Nursing

This weekend marks the second anniversary of our peacetime emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past two years, we have lost over 12,000 Minnesotans and over 6 million worldwide. Among those lost are family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and other loved ones. Among those lost are some of our own—nurses and healthcare professionals.

We have suffered through the unthinkable. We have dealt with inadequate PPE, unsafe staffing levels, moral injury, and lip-service from those who have the power to solve these problems. But through it all, we’ve continued to do what we’ve always done—care for our patients.

We are tired and we are heartbroken, yes.
… Read more about: Statement from MNA President Mary C. Turner, RN on the Second Anniversary of the MN Peacetime Emergency for the COVID-19 Pandemic  »

nurse workplace violence

On:
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  »

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!  »

On:
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: Healthcare, Home, Member Blog, Nurses, Nursing

By Becky VonBank

MNA Member

 

As a nurse, many of us have a nurturing ability within us. During my years of nursing, I found that when I shared my acquired knowledge with others, I supported my colleagues’ growth. My passion to learn became deeper, my professional practice became stronger, and patients and their families received better care.

 

I returned to Creighton University in Omaha to achieve a higher level of autonomy in the nursing practice, support my passion for lifelong learning, and gain more knowledge to share with others. I will graduate in May 2019 with my Acute and Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, which might not have happened without receiving an MNA Scholarship. 
… Read more about: Scholarship Fund Supports Two New Nurses  »

On:
In: Home, Legislative Policy, Nurses, Nursing, Politics

By Jon Tollefson

MNA Government Relations Specialist

 

Today is the first day of the 2018 legislative session in Minnesota, and it promises to be a whirlwind. It’s a bonding, rather than a budgeting year, which is typically shorter. However, remember last year’s budget ended with Governor Dayton vetoing the operating budget of the legislature, and that needs to be passed too. Between now and May 21st, legislators will debate tax policy, infrastructure investments, and other policy changes.

One of the many issues the Minnesota Nurses Association is working on is properly funding home health nursing. Right now, about 1,000 patients need home healthcare nursing each year in Minnesota.
… Read more about: New Legislative Session, Old Nursing Issue  »