Don’t Miss Your Chance to Recognize the Outstanding Nurses in Your Life (Page 35)

MNA annually recognizes nurses who made important achievements in practice, research, activism and more at the Honors and Awards Ceremony at the MNA Convention. MNA nurses are doing incredible things in our communities! Do you know a nurse who has gone above and beyond and should receive an award and recognition of their work? The deadline for nominations for the MNA Honors and Awards is July 1.

Submit your nominations here!

*note originally published January 24

 

By Deb Meyer, RN

Deb Meyer, RN
Practice and Education Commissioner
Practice and Education Commissioner
Nurses are doing great things every day, and we need to recognize these nurses, which we do annually at the the Minnesota Nurses Association Honors and Awards banquet during the annual convention in October.  Every MNA member is eligible, and there are even awards for friends of MNA too.  All you have to do is nominate them.
 As you work side by side with your co-workers in the next few months, keep these awards in mind.  The President’s award is selected by the MNA President, but the remainder of the awards can be nominated by members.  The rest of the awards are:
  1. The Distinguished Service Award: honors the nurse who displays substantial contributions to the health and well-being of the community within which they live and work.
  2. The Creative Nursing Award: honors the nurse who recognized a specific healthcare need and developed a new and/or creative approach that improves the quality of healthcare for an identified population.
  3. Audrey Logsdon/Geraldine Wedel Award:  honors the nurse or nurses who have contributed significantly to nurses and/or nursing practice through collective bargaining activities.
  4. Ruth L. Hass Excellence in Practice Award:  honors the nurse involved in direct nursing care who has demonstrated expert knowledge and practice in a selected clinical area of nursing and is recognized by her/his peers as a role model of sustained, consistent high quality nursing practice.
  5. Nurse Educator Award:  honors the nurse involved in nursing education who has demonstrated expertise in the teaching of nursing and is recognized by their peers as a role model of sustained, consistent, high quality teaching.
  6. Public Official Award:  honors a local or state public official who, through involvement in policy making at the local or state level, has placed a high priority on influencing policy, which assists MNA in reaching its goals.
  7. Sarah Tarleton Colvin Political Activist Award:  honors a nurse or group of nurses who serve as a role model for nurses because of activities, above and beyond those of the general nursing community, to further the political presence of nursing, and/or to accomplish change in public policy that is positive for the nursing profession.
  8. Nurse Researcher Award:  honors the nurse or nurses who made a significant impact on nursing practice through the use of research.
  9. Mentorship in Nursing Award:  honors the nurse or nurses who have demonstrated this through sustained and significant leadership to nurses/nursing students by modeling values, attitudes, and behaviors consistent with those of the profession.
  10. Elizabeth Shogren Health and Safety Award:  honors the nurse or nurses who have made sustained and substantial contributions to the health, safety, and well-being of the nursing community in which they work.
  11. Paul and Sheila Wellstone Social Justice Award:  honors the nurse, elected official, or community leader who demonstrates a lifetime achievement of working to better the lives of others by increasing their access to quality healthcare.

It is not too early to start thinking about this.  The deadline for nominations is July 1st.  I have nominated someone each of the past two years, and it is an easy online process.  Click here to find the nomination form.

Good luck to all nominated, and thank you to all nurses for what you do.

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In: Events, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurses

MNA annually recognizes nurses who made important achievements in practice, research, activism and more at the Honors and Awards Ceremony at the MNA Convention. MNA nurses are doing incredible things in our communities! Do you know a nurse who has gone above and beyond and should receive an award and recognition of their work? The deadline for nominations for the MNA Honors and Awards is July 1.

Submit your nominations here!

*note originally published January 24

 

By Deb Meyer, RN


… Read more about: Don’t Miss Your Chance to Recognize the Outstanding Nurses in Your Life  »Deb Meyer, RN
Practice and Education Commissioner

Practice and Education Commissioner

Nurses are doing great things every day, and we need to recognize these nurses, which we do annually at the the Minnesota Nurses Association Honors and Awards banquet during the annual convention in October. 

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In: Home, Press Releases

MNA Contact:  Barb Brady
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
barbara.brady@mnnurses.org 

MAPE Contact: Ashley Erickson
(o) 651-621-2638
(c) 507-450-5511
aerickson@mape.org 

AFSCME Contact: Trisha Harms
(o) 651-287-0558
(c) 651-895-0632
Trisha.harms@AFSCMEmn.org

(Anoka) – May 29, 2019 – Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center (AMRTC) staff are at risk every day they walk through the doors because the hospital does not have needed security to prevent violence by patients and others. MNA, AFSCME, and MAPE members are picketing outside the hospital this afternoon to shine a spotlight on safety concerns after a nurse was violently attacked recently.

“That attack shows just how dangerous the working conditions are at AMRTC,” Carrie Mortrud, RN, said.
… Read more about: Press Release: A Safe Workplace is not Optional. Anoka Treatment Center Workers Picket for Safety  »

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In: Home, Press Releases, Workplace violence prevention

Members of three unions plan informational picket May 29

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MNA Contact:  Barb Brady
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
barbara.brady@mnnurses.org

MAPE Contact: Ashley Erickson
(o) 651-621-2638
(c) 507-450-5511
aerickson@mape.org

St. Paul) – May 26, 2019 – The recent attack that left an Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center nurse severely injured and hospitalized has prompted employees from three unions to call for immediate measures to improve safety for workers, patients, and visitors.

MNA, AFSCME, and MAPE members are picketing on May 29 outside the hospital to shine a spotlight on the safety crisis and the hospital’s failure to install security measures.
… Read more about: Press Release: Anoka Treatment Center Staff Picket Over Recent Violent Attack, Unsafe Conditions  »

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In: Bargaining, Home, Press Releases

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

Barb Brady
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
barbara.brady@mnnurses.org

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(St. Paul) – May 22, 2019 – Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association in the Metro area are picketing selected hospitals to take their issues to the hospitals. Today, nurses from across the Twin Cities targeted Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Negotiations between nurses and hospitals have stalemated over a new contract, even though their contract expires on May 31.

“Nurses have felt disrespected at the bargaining table, and they feel they have to take the issues of workplace safety to the hospitals’ front door,” said Doreen McIntyre, a nurse at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis.
… Read more about: Press Release: Twin Cities Nurses Picket Hospitals for Safety, Benefits  »

nurse workplace violence

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In: Bargaining, Home, Legislative Policy, Nurse education, Patient Safety, Politics, Unions, Women, Workplace violence prevention

By Jackie Russell, RN JD

Nursing Practice and Regulatory Affairs Specialist

 

On the CDC website there is a Workplace Violence Prevention for Nurses Course (CDC Course No. WB2908–NIOSH Pub. No. 2013-155). It’s free. It’s interactive. (here’s the link to attend:  https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/violence/training_nurses.html) It’s designed to “help healthcare workers better understand the scope and nature of violence in the workplace.” And it hasn’t been updated since 2016 (last reviewed, 2017).

If you take the course, you will learn the definition, types, and prevalence of violence; workplace violence consequences; risk factors for type II and III violence; prevention strategies for organizations; prevention strategies for nurses; and a post event response.
… Read more about: What Is Workplace Violence Prevention?  »

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In: Home, Nurses, Nurses Week, Nursing, Women

By Barbara Brady

MNA Communications Specialist

 

There’s one MNA nurse who walks the extra mile to provide care… literally.

In spite of heavy snowstorms, MNA Hennepin Healthcare Visiting Nurse Amy Edelstein still finds ways to get to her clients – even on foot.

Following a heavy storm last February, Edelstein strapped on snowshoes to travel the 2.5 miles to her client’s home.

“I thought it was nice outside and I still get to see the client without worrying about driving conditions and parking,” she says. “I had my MVNA backpack with what I needed.”

It’s not the first time Edelstein has braved the elements to see clients.
… Read more about: This is Why There’s a Nurse’s Week  »

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In: Elections, Home, Press Releases, Uncategorized

For Immediate Release

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

(St. Paul) – April 24, 2019 – The Board of Directors of the Minnesota Nurses Association has voted to endorse Emily Larson for a second term as mayor of Duluth at their April meeting.

“Nurses are proud to support Emily Larson again,” said Mary C. Turner, president of MNA.  “Nurse leaders have witnessed Larson’s continued dedication in ensuring workers are treated with dignity and respect by their employers, including advocating for labor rights, the right of people to organize, and good faith negotiations.”

Mayor Emily Larson participated in a meet and greet with Duluth nurses on April 16 to show her support for those who are entering into contract negotiations with Essentia and St.
… Read more about: Press Release: Minnesota Nurses Endorse Emily Larson for Another Term as Duluth Mayor  »

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In: Activism, Home, Member Blog, Mental Health, Minnesota Nurses Association, Unsafe Staffing, Workplace violence prevention

By Chidinma Nwanekpe, RN, BSN, MPH

GAC Commissioner, Mental Health Nurse at St. Joseph’s

 

Working on my unit has exposed me to a lot of issues our mental health patients go through, but the most prominent one is homelessness.

For example, here’s a patient we’ll call “Mr. J.” Mr. J had been in the hospital for seven days when I arrived at work one day. In a mental unit, it’s not uncommon for patients to be reported as loud, upset, disrupting unit activity, and not heeding re-direction. Mr. J said he had been in the hospital for quite a while, didn’t know where to go after he was discharged because he was homeless.
… Read more about: Mental Illness and Homelessness: A Cry for Help  »

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In: Healthcare, Home, Hospitals, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurses, Nursing, Politics

By Carrie Mortrud, RN

MNA Project Specialist

 

Ok, by now, you’ve probably heard the ignorant and irresponsible comments of Washington state Senator Maureen Walsh who attacked all nurses by opposing a bill aimed at guaranteeing breaks and stopping mandatory overtime.

Walsh unwisely said this while the Washington state Senate considered SHB 1155, which would provide nurses with uninterrupted meal and rest breaks.

“I would submit to you that those nurses probably do get breaks,” Walsh said on the Senate floor. “They probably play cards for a considerable amount of the day.”

Despite the ridiculousness of her comments, that doesn’t mean that every MNA member shouldn’t take something away from this ignorant comment, even though the Senator has said she regrets the remark (ironically, she claimed she was “tired” from no breaks at the Capitol.
… Read more about: Nurses Can Still Learn Something from Know-Nothing Politician  »

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In: Drug Prices, Home, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Contact:  Barb Brady
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
barbara.brady@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – April 4, 2019 – Attorney General Keith Ellison has appointed the Minnesota Nurses Association’s Executive Director, Rose Roach, to the task force charged with lowering the price of pharmaceutical drugs for Minnesota patients. Roach is one of 15 patient advocates who include leaders from medical providers, labor and industry, state legislators, and the executive director of the Board of Pharmacy.

“I am honored to be appointed by Attorney General Ellison and am confident we will be able to make recommendations that will improve the lives of Minnesotans when it comes to affording the medications they need,” Roach said.
… Read more about: Press Release: MNA leader joins the fight to lower drug prices  »