MNA Nurses Will Deliver Demands to Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Regarding MHealth Fairview's Plans for Bethesda Hospital (Page 24)

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) – October 17, 2020 – MNA nurses will be delivering demands to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners regarding MHealth Fairview’s plans to lease Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul to the county on Monday, October 19, at 4 p.m.

The proposal is part of the plans MHealth Fairview recently announced to close Bethesda hospital, the only COVID-19 specialty hospital in the area, as well as critically necessary community clinics and other services at St. Joseph’s hospital. They are using the COVID-19 crisis as a cover to justify the elimination of vital healthcare services to the St. Paul community, and these plans will also create the loss of hundreds of jobs.

Ramsey County has indicated that they are interested in leasing Bethesda Hospital to turn it into a transitional shelter for unhoused people. The Board will meet to vote on the proposal on Tuesday, October 20, at 9 a.m.

“We support any real effort to provide housing for the homeless,” said Melissa Kadrmas, a Registered Nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital. “However, we don’t trust MHealth Fairview, and we worry that their ill-thought-out plan is to provide them cover for closing a facility, laying-off nurses, and eliminating key services. We are interested in seeing long term results, not just a bandage.”

MNA nurses will deliver their demands to the Board in an effort to strengthen the planned lease so that MHealth Fairview cannot leave Ramsey County in the lurch. The demands would provide some accountability, transparency, and security to ensure that moving forward, patients, the community, nurses, and other workers aren’t further devastated by this closure; and that MHealth Fairview holds up their end of the deal and their word that this is about patients and not profits.

When:      Monday, October 19 at 4 p.m.
Where:     St. Paul City Hall
                  15 West Kellogg Blvd St. Paul, MN 55102
Who:        MNA nurses who are concerned about MHealth Fairview’s plans to lease Bethesda Hospital in                    St. Paul to Ramsey County
What:       Delivery of demands
Why:        To demand accountability from MHealth Fairview and the Ramsey County
                  Commissioners for sustainable and long-term solutions that serve the St. Paul community

Note:  The program will take place outside, where nurses and attendees will practice 6 feet of social distancing. Additionally, for reporters who are uncomfortable attending the event in person or who are themselves practicing self-quarantine measures, the event will be streaming here: https://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaNurses/

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) – October 17, 2020 – MNA nurses will be delivering demands to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners regarding MHealth Fairview’s plans to lease Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul to the county on Monday, October 19, at 4 p.m.

The proposal is part of the plans MHealth Fairview recently announced to close Bethesda hospital, the only COVID-19 specialty hospital in the area, as well as critically necessary community clinics and other services at St.
… Read more about: MNA Nurses Will Deliver Demands to Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Regarding MHealth Fairview’s Plans for Bethesda Hospital  »

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In: Elections

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

By Sarah Simons, RN

Why in the world would I spend time phone banking? This is an honest question and one that I will try to answer from my perspective.

First, as a Union nurse, I am paid pretty well at my job, so I no longer have to work two or three jobs or find other ways to pinch pennies that are time-consuming. So, I actually have a little more discretionary time to do the things that I could literally not afford to do before.
… Read more about: Why in the World Would I Spend Time Phone Banking?  »

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In: Home, Legislative Policy, Member Blog

Note: the below is the opinion of the signed authors.

MNA Members, thank you for your service to your fellow members and communities. The work you do is essential to advancing the mission of the Minnesota Nurses Association and having a positive impact on the patients we serve.

As you know, working within our political system is a natural extension of our mission.  Through this work, we have been able to realize many of our priorities including

  • Fending off Right to Work legislation
  • Ratifying the contracts of our State of Minnesota nurse coworkers
  • Passing workplace violence legislation
  • Ensuring workers compensation coverage for nurses who contract COVID-19 at work
  • Defending our licensure standards by defeating the Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact
  • Passing the Safe Patient Handling Program statute requiring all health care facilities to have written patient handling policies to reduce workplace injuries

At this year’s House of Delegates, we will be considering a resolution (R1: Political Independence and Power for MNA) barring MNA from endorsing, supporting, or contributing money, labor, or support to candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties.
… Read more about: Member Blog: Now is the Time for Involvement in the Legislative Process  »

On:
In: Hospitals, 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

October 5, 2020 (St. Paul) – As COVID infections are on the rise, MHealth Fairview is closing the one COVID specialty hospital in the area as well as critically necessary community clinics and other services at St. Joseph’s hospital.  Shutting down clinics and restricting services does not improve access to healthcare. This is the epitome of healthcare injustice for both the community and the MHealth Fairview workforce.

MHealth Fairview has consistently attempted to hide their plans for healthcare in St.
… Read more about: MNA and SEIU Alarmed by Shortsighted Hospital Cuts to Bethesda and St. Joe’s  »

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In: Continuing Education, Education, Home healthcare, Nurse education

By Geri Katz

MNA Manager of Practice, Education and Special Projects

 

MNA’s Annual Convention always includes a day of education for nurses that covers topics from nursing practice, building power in the workplace, and healthcare policy. With the 2020 Convention occurring online, the MNA Nursing Practice and Education Commission decided to offer online classes throughout the month of October, rather than just one day. Commissioners hope the MNA Convention will broaden access to these classes regardless of your work schedule, delegate status, and ability to travel.

Now nurses who are not convention delegates and nurses anywhere in the region can attend these free classes, many of which come with Contact Hours.
… Read more about: Back to School with MNA: October Online Education  »