This is Why There's a Nurse's Week (Page 35)

By Barbara Brady

Barb Brady
Barb Brady
MNA Communications Specialist

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.

Amy Edelstein, RN

“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. She also put on her snow boots and walked nearly two miles to visit a client and a newborn baby after a major storm this past January, carrying heavy materials for the baby and mom.

Edelstein has spent her career as a visiting nurse, starting in Ramsey County in 2001. After six years, she volunteered as a nurse (health advisor) managing two village clinics in the Dominican Republic and then moved to North Carolina for six years before moving back to Minnesota, where she has many family members.

“I love home visiting,” she says. “You get to see people where they live. The long-term relationships we build are what I love most about my job. I get to stay with clients for two or three years. I get to see mom and child change and grow. I see the whole picture of my families, not only the medical but socially and emotionally.”

Thank you, Amy, for your dedication to your clients and the nursing profession!

On:
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  »

On:
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  »

On:
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  »

On:
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  »

On:
In: Activism, Bargaining, Home, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurses

By Rick Fuentes

MNA Communications Specialist

 

Metro MNA members are taking their stories to the public. MNA has been advertising on I Heart Media radio stations and digital platforms about the issues nurses face every day at the bedside. On-air staff at I Heart Media have been very supportive of Metro nurses, especially K102’s Amy James, KDWB’s Dave Ryan, and KFAN’s Justin Guaard.

 

 

 

Of course, no one can tell the nurses’ stories better than the nurses. The first ad was voiced by Abbott Recovery Room nurse, Becky Nelson. 
… Read more about: Heard the New Radio Ad?  »

On:
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  »

On:
In: Bargaining, Home, Press Releases

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
​
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

​
(St. Paul) –   March 26, 2019 –  Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association in the Metro area begin negotiations today with Twin Cities hospitals to reach agreement on new contracts that will ensure quality patient care.  Nurses will approach negotiations optimistic that a cooperative approach with Metro hospitals will lead to a settlement while still firmly believing in contract proposals that value nurses and patients.

“Nurses are united in putting forth proposals that recognize the value of their care and their professional judgment to protect patients,” said Jordan Foerster, a negotiations team member and a Registered Nurse at Fairview.
… Read more about: Press Release: Twin Cities Nurses Enter Negotiations Optimistic and Steadfast  »

On:
In: Action, Day On the Hill, Nurses, Patient Safety, Politics, Standards of Care, Workplace violence prevention

By Diane McLaughlin, RN

Commission of Active Retired Nurses & Government Affairs Commissioner

 

It is so inspiring to see about 100 MNA nurses from all over Minnesota come together and speak up for patients with our legislators at the Capitol during the annual Day on the Hill this year.

The Feb. 11-12 event was as rewarding and inspiring as ever.

After an evening of socializing and training, we met with our own representatives and senators to use our voices as citizen lobbyists to talk about the issues impacting our patients and our profession.

I met with Rep.
… Read more about: One Word for MNA’s Nurses Day on the Hill: Phenomenal  »

On:
In: Home, Legislative Policy, 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) – March 25, 2019 – The budget targets unveiled by Minnesota House DFL leaders today make wise investments in Minnesota’s future, according to the Minnesota Nurses Association.

“Nurses applaud proposals to invest in healthcare, education, infrastructure and tax fairness,” said MNA President Mary C. Turner, RN. “This plan put Minnesota on the right path.”

Turner said proposals to implement health insurance discounts for individuals  and continue the provider tax that funds MinnesotaCare will help nurses provide patients with the care they need and deserve.
… Read more about: Press Release: House budget targets make the right investments in Minnesota’s future  »

On:
In: Health Care Reform, Healthcare, Home, Hospitals, Single Payer

By Tara Fugate

MNA Strategic Researcher

 

According to a new report, hospital prices went up even though usage of healthcare actually went down.  Sadly, the takeaway shows that what a patient pays for healthcare determines how much they’re able to seek care and actually be healthy.  The Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI) report, “Healthy Marketplace Index,” analyzed more than 1.8 billion commercial claims from 2012 to 2016, HCCI’s report shows commercial healthcare prices increased by 13 percent (almost 3 times faster than inflation) while utilization of services dropped 17 percent nationwide.

 

It’s not just what healthcare costs that matters either. 
… Read more about: Hospital Prices Rise But Hospital Admits Drop  »