LABOR NEWS
Unions Mobilize in Opposition to Right to Work as Preventive Measure Michigan Republicans could decide as early as today whether or not to introduce a “right-to-work” proposal for consideration during the final weeks of the 2011-12 legislative session.
NOTES ON NURSING
Metro Nurses Clue Legislators in on Staffing Issues The second in a series of statewide Legislative “Meet and Greet” forums was held at MNA offices last night. Eighteen metro area legislators joined nurses to hear a policy briefing from Government Affairs Specialists Carrie Mortrud, RN and Shannon Cunningham, followed by a lively discussion of MNA’s top priorities, safe staffing and protecting Minnesota’s high nursing standards.
Nurses told stories from the bedside about the pressures of caring for too many patients, often feeling like their patients’ health and their own licenses are at risk. Without enough time to spend with patients, nurses can’t make critical assessments. Patients can develop serious conditions that could have been caught with frequent observation of subtle changes in the patient’s condition. “There is no such thing as a stable patient,” said one nurse participant. “For the sake of you and your loved ones” she told legislators, “we need to be allowed time to make those judgments.”
Many of the legislators in attendance were freshman beginning their first terms in January.
In addition to the Meet and Greets held on Nov 20 in Alexandria and last night’s forum, the nurses are encouraged to engage with their legislators in the upcoming opportunities:
- Willmar: Monday, December 3, 5:30 pm at the American Legion Willmar Post #167
- Owatonna: Tuesday, December 4, 5:30 pm at the American Legion Owatonna Post #77
- Duluth: Monday, December 10, 6:00 pm at the Duluth Labor Temple.