Shannon Cunningham
Lauren Bloomquist
Contact: Shannon Cunningham
(c) 651-269-1418
shannon.cunningham@mnnurses.org
(Duluth) – May 20, 2025 – Earlier today, frontline healthcare staff and community members in Duluth raised urgent concerns about declining patient care and unsafe staffing levels at Essentia Health — even as the not-for-profit system receives millions in tax exemptions meant to benefit the public.
Since the 1950s, hospitals have had a public health mandate to give back to their communities with the savings major tax breaks give them. Yet, a new report by the Minnesota Nurses Association and National Nurses United found that major Minnesota hospitals, including Essentia Health, are breaking their bargain with the public.
... Read more about: Duluth nurses and providers sound the alarm as Essentia pockets tax breaks, cuts patient care »
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: Shannon Cunningham
(c) 651-269-1418
shannon.cunningham@mnnurses.org
Kayla Drake
(c) 314-448-8064
kdrake@momentum-advocacy.com
(St. Paul) – May 15, 2025 – Nurses and supporters rallied outside the Medical Alley Annual Dinner this evening to demand accountability from healthcare executives and CEOs who continue to uphold a healthcare system that puts profits over patients.
The Medical Alley Annual Dinner is a who’s-who of Minnesota’s healthcare so-called elites — a closed-door celebration of power where hospital executives, insurance industry leaders, and corporate financiers gather to conduct insider conversations while patients and frontline workers wait patiently for fair staffing levels to be discussed with those delivering patient care on the front lines in hospitals statewide.
... Read more about: Frontline healthcare workers call out corporate control at Medical Alley annual dinner »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laurie Laker
(c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org
Shannon Cunningham
(c) 61-269-1418
shannon.cunningham@mnnurses.org
(Duluth, MN) – May 8, 2025 – As Essentia Health executives prepare to conduct a press conference today, nurses are calling out what the hospital system is not doing: addressing the ongoing staffing crisis that is putting patients at risk.
“Essentia executives will make one thing clear today—they’d rather talk about nurses than with us,” said Chris Rubesch, an Essentia nurse and President of the Minnesota Nurses Association. “During National Nurses Week, they’re holding a press conference while refusing to fix the unsafe conditions nurses have raised for years.
... Read more about: Essentia Executives Choosing PR Over Patients, Say Nurses »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laurie Laker
(c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org
(St. Paul) – May 6, 2025 – Minnesota nurses are kicking off National Nurses Week 2025 this evening by lighting the state red and calling on the public to support their fight for safe hospital staffing through their ongoing contract campaign
Landmarks across the state will be lit red to recognize nurses starting on Tuesday, May 6 with Capella Tower in Minneapolis and Sperry Tower in Eagan. On May 9, both the I-35W Bridge and Lowry Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis will be lit red as well.
... Read more about: Nurses kick off Nurses Week with landmarks lit red as nurses call for safe staffing to prioritize patient care. »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laurie Laker
(c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org
(St. Paul) – May 1, 2025 – Over 15,000 nurses in the Twin Cities and Duluth recently launched contract negotiations with one clear priority: improving staffing levels to ensure better care and safer hospitals.
Nurses are demanding action as hospitals continue to operate with unsafe staffing, compromising care and driving experienced nurses out of the profession. While hospital executives blame a “nurse shortage,” nurses know the truth: we have more licensed nurses than ever, but too many are unwilling to work in conditions created by corporate hospital leadership.
... Read more about: As bargaining continues, nurses share stories of ongoing crisis in Minnesota facilities. »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laurie Laker
(c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org
(Duluth) – April 23, 2025 – MNA nurses at Aspirus St. Luke’s launched contract bargaining today with the hospital, and are eager to address longstanding concerns around staffing levels and unsafe work conditions at the facility.
“MNA nurses appreciate the vision of Aspirus St. Luke’s which commits to patients, people and the community. Like Aspirus, MNA nurses have a guiding vision that is deeply rooted in patient care. Currently, the state of nursing in Minnesota is dire. The average number of adverse events is up in Minnesota hospitals, the cost of healthcare continues to rise, the number of nurses facing violence and injury is at an all-time high and nurses continue to flee the bedside due to unsafe conditions and staffing levels.
... Read more about: Aspirus St. Luke’s nurses launch bargaining, advocate for increased staffing to boost patient care and nurse safety »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laurie Laker
(c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org
(St. Paul) – April 16, 2025 – In response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents entering and arresting a hospital employee at the MNA-represented Avera hospital in Marshall, Minnesota, the MNA Board of Directors reaffirms their position that nurses should not and will not serve any role in immigration enforcement and hopes that all hospital employees will also reject a role in assisting ICE.
A full statement regarding MNA’s position on safeguarding and protecting those who we serve and care for as nurses reads as follows:
As nurses and healthcare professionals, our primary responsibility is to provide compassionate, ethical, and high-quality care to all patients, regardless of their background, status, or circumstance.
... Read more about: MNA condemns ICE arrest of hospital employee at MNA-represented facility »
Contact: Laurie Laker
(c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org
(St. Paul) – April 4, 2025 – With the appointment of Dr. Thomas Klemond as interim CEO of Hennepin Healthcare, the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) is reiterating the need for leadership that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and the safety and well-being of workers and patients alike.
The resignation of former CEO Jennifer DeCubellis followed a resounding vote of “No Confidence” by nurses in November 2023, driven by decisions that increased healthcare costs for workers, undermined labor rights, and eroded essential services. While her departure was a necessary step, the need for leadership that upholds the values of public service and respect for frontline workers remains urgent.
... Read more about: Nurses look to work with interim Hennepin Healthcare CEO, and to hold leadership to account. »
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 »