Sharing the experience of rural nurses during COVID-19 with the White House (Page 23)

Note: the content below is the opinion of the creator or signed authors.

By Sara Buchanan, RN

It was an honor and a privilege to represent Minnesota and rural Minnesota Nurses at the White House recently on a conference call with first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff! Even small-town nurses face big-time problems in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Although our rural COVID-19 surges hit later and are starting to get better, things are still difficult.

Lack of testing, nursing shortages, personal protective equipment shortages, and COVID-19 exposures remain. Our surge had half our hospital designated to COVID-19 patients. Staff shortages, lack of Intensive Care Unit unavailability to send to high acuity hospitals that were full (80 minutes away) proved challenging even with the preparations we made.

Some of us were scouring the local hardware stores early in the pandemic to ensure we had protection. Wearing the same disposable mask for five days (12-hour shifts), knowing it was improper use of single-use personal protective equipment, was a difficult and unsafe practice. Lack of testing all hospital admissions left us exposed to COVID-19 exposure with our surgical masks. One year later, there is still a lack of N95 respirator masks, and we have to reuse them. Waiting up to 51 hours for test results for COVID-19 exposure adds to nursing and staffing shortages. This brings added stress and mental, physical, emotional, and financial concerns.

I am truly proud of our team’s work during this pandemic to care for our community, but there are still protections we need to provide the highest level of care safely.

Our story is similar and yet also different to my fellow nurses on the White House call. Lack of proper PPE, testing, staffing, and exposure to COVID-19 echoed in all the nurses’ stories. Emotions were loud and clear as each of us told our stories, and we listened to each other.

Dr. Biden and Mr. Emhoff listened to each of us, giving us time to recount important points from this year of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am so thankful to them for taking the time to reach out to rural nurses. We all appreciated their willingness to listen and try to help us as we nurses are struggling. We appreciate the gratitude they showed us and the kindness they gave us.

On:
In: Coronavirus, COVID-19

Note: the content below is the opinion of the creator or signed authors.

By Sara Buchanan, RN

It was an honor and a privilege to represent Minnesota and rural Minnesota Nurses at the White House recently on a conference call with first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff! Even small-town nurses face big-time problems in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Although our rural COVID-19 surges hit later and are starting to get better, things are still difficult.

Lack of testing, nursing shortages, personal protective equipment shortages, and COVID-19 exposures remain.
… Read more about: Sharing the experience of rural nurses during COVID-19 with the White House  »

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In: COVID-19, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

​
Contact: Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

Amber Smigiel
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.org

February 10, 2021 (St. Paul) – Minnesota Nurses Association President Mary C. Turner has been selected to serve on the national Biden-Harris COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. Turner is the only Registered Nurse to serve on this advisory board to advise the White House on how to ensure all Americans have access to COVID-19 resources. She was personally selected by President Joe Biden.

“I’m both honored and humbled to serve the country,” Turner said.
… Read more about: MNA President Turner Proud to Support Nurses on Biden-Harris COVID-19 Task Force  »

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In: Press Releases, Workplace violence prevention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

​
Contact: Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

Amber Smigiel
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.org

February 9, 2021 (St. Paul) –

“Minnesota Nurses are again shocked and saddened by the news of another incident of workplace violence at a healthcare facility in the state. As caretakers of victims of gunshots and other violent injuries, nurses and healthcare workers are acutely aware that violence could easily come to the doors of their workplace too. Seeing other workers become victims shakes any hospital worker to their core.
… Read more about: MNA Nurses Statement on Workplace Violence at Buffalo Clinic  »

On:
In: Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

​
Contact:  Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

Amber Smigiel
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.org
​
(St. Paul) – February 4, 2021 – Nurse members of the Minnesota Nurses Association have alerted Allina Health of the intent to hold an informational picket in Faribault near District One Hospital on Friday, February 12.

MNA nurses have been negotiating a new contract with Allina for months, but productive talks have deteriorated over safety and staffing issues. While Allina has agreed to match wages with a nearby hospital, management has refused to improve staffing measures, add health and safety protections, or match compensation for calling nurses in during short-staffing crises. 
… Read more about: MNA Nurses File Notice to Picket Allina District One Hospital  »

On:
In: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

​

Contact: Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

Amber Smigiel
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.org

January 26, 2021 (St. Paul) – Minnesota nurses explained to legislators that, like other essential workers, they’ve lost thousands of dollars in pay and benefits due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and they’re asking lawmakers to support HF41, the Essential Workers Emergency Leave Act, which will make it right.

Many essential workers, including nurses, were either exempted from receiving federal COVID leave covered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) or their employers were not subject to FFCRA due to their size.
… Read more about: MNA Nurses Testify in Support of Essential Workers Emergency Leave Act  »

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In: Coronavirus, COVID-19

By Susan Kreitz, RN, MNA Board of Directors, CARn Chair

This question is being asked by many people. People from all walks of life, race, young and old. The truth is everyone who can, should be vaccinated. The virus doesn’t know who we are, where we live, or how old we are.

We need to look at the science of this medication. mRNA technology was discovered over 30 years ago and the vaccine has been studied for nearly 2 decades. The benefit of mRNA vaccines, like all vaccines, those who are vaccinated gain protection without ever having to risk serious consequences of getting sick with COVID-19.
… Read more about: Should you get the COVID-19 vaccine?  »

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In: Coronavirus, COVID-19

Note: the content below is the opinion of the creator or signed authors.

By Linda Hamilton, RN, BSN

Nurses always respond during disasters, war, and now a pandemic. Unfortunately, while this pandemic has become a political football, as nurses, we know this virus is no game. Our most vulnerable and even those with no risk factors are losing their lives every day. Our hospitals are at capacity, and nurse staffing makes it impossible to provide care in many areas of our state. Many patients are told they have to get care hundreds of miles from their homes.

Now that the election is over and the virus is still raging, we must educate and enforce proven strategies we use in our workplaces and in our communities to stop the spread of this virus.
… Read more about: Our First Line of Defense  »

On:
In: Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

​
Contact: Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

Amber Smigiel
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.org

January 11, 2021 (St. Paul) – Minnesota nurses are excited to support a Minnesota House bill that would provide emergency paid leave for essential workers that they currently don’t receive. The Essential Workers Emergency Leave Act, or HF41, chief authored by Rep. Cedrick Frazier (DFL-New Hope), would ensure that the frontline and essential workers during this pandemic are able to quarantine, care for a loved one with COVID, or care for a child who is distance learning without financial burden.
… Read more about: MNA Nurses Urge Lawmakers to Pass Emergency Leave Bill  »

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In: Education

MNA’s special month of online classes continues with some exciting guest instructors and new classes. Sign up for a class today!

Wednesday, October 21, 2:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m.

Labor Education Specialist Kathy McQuillan will present STEWARD TRAINING: INVESTIGATORY MEETINGS, designed to prepare MNA stewards with the skills to represent their fellow members in disciplinary and investigatory meetings.

Wednesday, October 21, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Labor Education Specialist Kathy McQuillan will present STEWARD TRAINING: STEP-ONE GRIEVANCES to prepare stewards with the skills to manage the Step-One grievances at their facilities.

Thursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23, 9:00 a.m.
… Read more about: Back to School with MNA: October Online Education  »