Update from the USNS Comfort in Haiti (Page 110)

Barb Warren-Bloms, the first Minnesota Nurse formally deployed to Haiti, recently sent us a Facebook message with an update of her first days on the Navy ship USNS Comfort (above):

“Thanks. It is going ok on the ship. I am working night shift. The census is way down, and acuity is very low. It is winding down. There are only 50 patients here now.

Even though the census is very low, they are happy we are here, because the nurses have not had days off in over 30 days. We got here too late to be of much help other than letting the nurses get days off, which is important, I guess. We would have done more help 1-3 weeks earlier, but I guess it is ok.

The president of Haiti wants to take care of as many people as they can on land, and we are not allowed to go on land. So, I think they anticipate that they will not be here much longer than mid March….

I have lots of pictures, and stories I will tell when I get back!”

Make sure to drop by Barb’s Facebook page for more updates and to share words of encouragement!

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Barb Warren-Bloms, the first Minnesota Nurse formally deployed to Haiti, recently sent us a Facebook message with an update of her first days on the Navy ship USNS Comfort (above):

“Thanks. It is going ok on the ship. I am working night shift. The census is way down, and acuity is very low. It is winding down. There are only 50 patients here now.

Even though the census is very low, they are happy we are here, because the nurses have not had days off in over 30 days. We got here too late to be of much help other than letting the nurses get days off, which is important, I guess.
… Read more about: Update from the USNS Comfort in Haiti  »

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EKyoiLMdwE]

MNA Member RN Barb Warren-Bloms spent her Valentine’s Day doing media interviews like the one above at MSP International Airport, then boarded a plane to Jacksonville, FL, to join other RNs from around the country who were deployed to Haiti earlier this week. Barb is the first MN Nurse formally deployed to Haiti through the National Nurses United organization, which is the national union MNA is working with to help safely deploy RNs to help in the Haiti relief efforts.
… Read more about: Happy Valentine’s Day – I’m Headed to Haiti!  »

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Barb Warren-Bloms left from the MSP International Airport today as the first MNA RN to be formally deployed to Haiti. After interviews with local TV stations Barb gave heartfelt hugs to her family and jumped on a plane to Florida. She will be spending the next two weeks on the Navy ship USNS Comfort, which is serving as a floating hospital for earthquake victims. Thanks Barb for being the first of so many Minnesota RNs and MNA Members ready to go to Haiti!


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Minnesota RN Barbara Warren-Bloms leaves Sunday (2-14-10) from MSP International Airport and becomes the first Minnesota nurse to be formally deployed to Haiti. Since the earthquake struck nearly one month ago, more than 300 Minnesota RNs have volunteered through the Minnesota Nurses Association to travel to Haiti.

“As nurses, it’s in our DNA to help,” says MNA President Linda Hamilton. “We don’t know any other way to operate. It doesn’t matter if it’s in Hastings or Haiti – our nurses want to be where they are needed.”

Warren-Bloms, one of 20,000 RNs who are members of the Minnesota Nurses Association, lives in Brooklyn Park and has been an RN for more than 15 years.
… Read more about: BREAKING NEWS: First Twin Cities Nurse Heading to Haiti!  »

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MARSHALL, Minn. – This isn’t exactly what you call putting patients first.

Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center is threatening to break a public promise by closing its popular Home Health Care program, which annually provides thousands of home nursing and wellness visits to many of Marshall’s 15,000 residents.

“We’re a small community. People here take care of one another,” says Val Buysse, a Registered Nurse who has spent more than 15 years working in Avera’s Home Care program. “Why would our town’s only hospital turn its back on the people who need its services most?
… Read more about: Minnesota Hospital to Patients: Trust Us … Until We Change Our Mind  »

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnJ6MH9RCtA]

Actor James Gandolfini, best know for his role as Tony Soprano on HBO’s “The Sopranos,” recently taped this PSA for TV and radio stations all across the United States. If you’re able to support the more than 12,000 nurses (including more than 300 from Minnesota!) who have volunteered to serve in Haiti over the coming weeks and months, please visit the Send A Nurse Web site as soon as you can to make a pledge! Our nurses have to pay for all transportation, food, water and lodging while in Haiti. Please help if you can, and pass this YouTube link on to others!
… Read more about: Take it from Tony Soprano – Nurses Need Your Help!  »

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U.S. Navy continues Haiti relief operations

More than 11,000 RNs from all over the United States have already volunteered to go to Haiti, including close to 300 nurses from Minnesota. As nurses, it is in our DNA to help out when we see someone in need, and to use our training and experience to care for the sick and injured – no matter where they are. We’re proud of the MNA Nurses who are able to donate their time and talents to the Haiti relief effort, and if you can join them, go here. Also, our nurses need financial support to pay for their travel, lodging, food, water and medical supplies while they are in Haiti.
… Read more about: U.S. Nurses Headed to Haiti – Can you help?  »