Legislative Update, May 4, 2012 (Page 111)

National Nurse Licensure Compact

The National Nurse Licensure Compact bill passed both the House and the Senate last week, and this week a Conference Committee of House and Senate members met to iron out differences between the two bills. MNA opposes the resulting conference report, which did little to address our concerns with the original bill. Signing on to the Compact will be bad for Minnesota patients, bad for our high nursing standards, and bad for nurses who want to organize or bargain fair contracts. Please use the link below to contact your state senator and state representative and ask them to vote against the Compact when it comes to a final floor vote.

Jobs Rally

Nurses joined hundreds of other union members at the Capitol yesterday to demand the Legislature pass bills that will put Minnesotans back to work. The clock is ticking on the 2012 Legislative session. Despite being in session for months, the Legislature has failed to act on real job creation projects like a large infrastructure bill and a Vikings stadium. These projects would create thousands of family-sustaining, union jobs to help Minnesota’s economy recover.

LPN scope of practice listening sessions

MNA has serious concerns for the safety of patients and for the practice of nursing regarding the Board of Nursing’s proposal to expand the scope of practice for Licensed Practical Nurses to include assessment and delegation. This proposal reflects corporate health care’s desire to muddy the lines of responsibility between RNs and LPNs – allowing hospitals to get more work for less money.  It also pits our two practices in a fabricated fight that will only result in jeopardizing public safety.

The Board of Nursing will be holding “listening sessions” about this proposal where nurses can voice their concerns. For the sake of your license and the future of nursing, attend the upcoming “Listening Session” hosted by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.

Please click here for more information and to see the schedule of listening sessions. In addition, MNA is holding education sessions about this issue on May 11, 8:30 am & 4:00 pm at the MNA office or webcast at www.nursetv.org (no password or pre-authorization necessary).

Regional Action Councils – Nurses mobilizing around policy and politics                                                     
As you’ve followed the action during this legislative session and campaign season have you wondered how you can get involved on behalf of nurses and patients?

Nurses are forming six Regional Action Councils around the state to mobilize around policies and candidates that are good for nurses, patients and working families. The RACs will soon begin screening and accountability process for candidates seeking MNA’s endorsement. It is critical that nurses take advocacy beyond the bedside, and weigh in on the policies that affect our practice and patients.

If you are interested in learning more about the Regional Action Council for your area, please contact:

• Grant Bendix (NW and NE      Minnesota): grant.bendix@mnnurses.org or 651-414-2830
• Geri Katz (W Metro and E Metro): geri.katz@mnnurses.org or 651-414-2855
• Julia Donnelly (SW and SE      Minnesota): Julia.donnelly@mnnurses.org or 651-414-2833