BEMIDJI, MN – (May 8, 2026) – Dozens of nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association, joined by community supporters held an informational picket today to highlight nurses’ concerns at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center. Over 400 nurses have been bargaining since February with the hospital as they fight for a contract that values a stabilized workforce, invests in highly skilled nurses and reduces turnover rates that disrupt continuity of care.
“Highly skilled nurses want to work in Bemidji to uphold the quality-of-care patients deserve,” said Jessica Mistic, RN at Sanford Bemidji. “Nurses are fighting for a contract where the employer relies on highly skilled nurses and attracts new ones instead of temporary staff as a solution to nurse turnover.”
On average, data from the 2025 NSI National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report reveals hospitals lose millions of dollars each year because of nurse turnover.
“This is about patient care, safety and security at the bedside,” said Lorrie Dols, RN at Sanford Bemidji. “Hospital leaders must prioritize nurse retention and recruitment for critical patient care and the stability of the nursing workforce in greater Minnesota.”
The informational picket comes the same day Sanford Health announced plans to merge with North Memorial Health. The announcement underscores the importance of strong labor protections, good-faith bargaining, and enforceable worker standards during periods of major healthcare consolidation and system changes.
Today’s informational picket was not a work stoppage. The contract for Sanford Bemidji Medical Center nurses expired on February 28, 2026. Nurses are committed to having productive negotiations with the employer with patients at the center of their contract fight.
