Nursing Practice and Education Commission Addresses Workplace Violence (Page 37)

By Jackie Russell, RN JD

Jackie Russell RN, JD
MNA Nursing Practice and Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Nursing Practice and Regulatory Affairs Specialist

 

The Commission on Nursing Practice and Education (“NP&E”) met on May 16, 2019 at the MNA office in Saint Paul. With so many changes in nursing practice as a result of Lean management and short staffing, the NP&E has recently made it a top priority of the commission to write three position papers or FAQs on relevant nursing practice topics before the end of the year.  The exact topics have not been decided, yet. Is there a practice issue you would like to see addressed? Email me at Jackie.Russell@mnnurses.org.

 

Highlights from the meeting were robust discussions on workplace violence. Angela Oseland, RN, gave an impromptu presentation on her experiences of workplace violence in her facility and the challenges of working with management to make changes, which have still not been addressed. Did you know that OSHA (besides being interested in work hazards such as extension cords and working fire extinguishers) is also interested in your workplace violence reports? It’s true. In a recent facility investigation, OSHA requested all workplace violence reports. So please, please be sure to fill out a Concern for Safe Staffing (CFSS) report if unsafe staffing resulted in workplace violence as evidence of the seriousness and number of assaults. 

NP&E Commissioners

MNA’s Staffing Specialist, Carrie Mortrud, RN and administrative assistant, Lily Anthony, received reports of 24 workplace violence incidents on CFSS forms in April alone (tracking nurse assaults and injuries related to short staffing and workplace violence were recently added to the CFSS forms). What would improve safety at your workplace?

 

Come to Convention in Duluth for our education on Workplace Violence! Anyone can come to the education sessions, even if you’re not a delegate to the House of Delegates. [link]

 

In addition to workplace violence, NP&E discussed other nursing practice concerns such as, new nurses being taken off orientation too early so the nurse could fill a staffing need, the new “Colors” Mental Health Assessment Tool, I-Pass, Remote Tele, and After-Visit-Summaries. Look for Deb Meyer’s article on Telehealth/Telemedicine in relation to lack of touch and face-to-face communication in MNA’s upcoming Spring Accent.

 

The following Commissions and Committees provided updates:

·      MNA Board of Directors,

·      Governmental Affairs Committee,

·      Metro Stewards,

·      Convention Planning and Bylaws Committee,

·      Health and Safety Committee,

·      Racial Diversity Committee,

·      Ethics Committee, and the

·      Minnesota Nurses Association Foundation

 

 Commission on Nursing Practice & Education Commissioners:

·      Lynnetta Muehlhauser, RN, Chair from Abbott Northwestern. (Appointed: 02-31-2018).

·      Deb Meyer, RN, BAN, Vice Chair. Retired, Worthington. (Appointed: 01-01-2018).

·      Angela Oseland, RN from North Memorial Health Care (Appointed: 01-01-2018).

·      Gladys Igbo, RN, MSN from Abbott Northwestern Hospital (Appointed: 01-01-2018).

·      Niki Gjere, MA, MS, RN, APRN, BC from Fairview Riverside Campus. (Appointed: 01-01-2018).

·      Sherri Lidholm, RN from Essentia Health- Deer River (Appointed: 01-01-2018).

·      Kelly Harty, RN from United Hospital (Appointed: 01-01-2018).

·      Mischelle Knipe, RN from Unity Hospital (Appointed: 02-21-2018).

·       Newly appointed 04-17-2019 is Jessica Huber, RN

 

MNA Staff Facilitators:

Geri Katz, Nursing Practice, Education, and Special Projects Manager, and

Jackie Russell, RN, JD, Nursing Practice and Regulatory Affairs Specialist

 

The Minnesota State Fair will be here before we know it! NP&E looks forward to seeing you at the fair during Adopt a Day at the Minnesota State Fair on August 28. 

 

nurse workplace violence

By Jackie Russell, RN JD

Nursing Practice and Regulatory Affairs Specialist

 

The Commission on Nursing Practice and Education (“NP&E”) met on May 16, 2019 at the MNA office in Saint Paul. With so many changes in nursing practice as a result of Lean management and short staffing, the NP&E has recently made it a top priority of the commission to write three position papers or FAQs on relevant nursing practice topics before the end of the year.  The exact topics have not been decided, yet. Is there a practice issue you would like to see addressed? Email me at Jackie.Russell@mnnurses.org.
… Read more about: Nursing Practice and Education Commission Addresses Workplace Violence  »

Contact:  Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org
Barbara Brady
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
barbara.brady@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – June 15, 2019 – Nurses represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract with  Children’s Hospitals of Minnesota and withdrew the threat of a nurses’ strike at the hospitals.

The nurses’ and the hospital’s negotiations teams met over a 21-hour session and cooperated to jointly address issues, including the cost of health insurance for MNA nurses.

“Nurses are happy that Children’s recognized that the cost of insurance is a concern that affects the hospital’s competitiveness of attracting and retaining nurses,” said Michelle Cotterell, a sedation nurse at Children’s Minneapolis campus. 
… Read more about: MNA Nurses Reach Agreement with Children’s Hospitals  »

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

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

 

(St. Paul) – June 13, 2019 – Nurses represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association voted overwhelmingly to reject the latest offer by Children’s Hospitals of Minnesota and authorize the negotiating team to call a strike.

A hospital strike must be authorized by a supermajority of the membership there, and the decision of when a strike would begin and how long it would last will be decided by the elected nurse members of the negotiating committee.
… Read more about: Press Release: MNA Nurses Reject Children’s Contract Offer, Authorize Strike  »

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. 

nurse workplace violence

By Jackie Russell, RN JD

Nursing Practice and Regulatory Affairs Specialist

and

Carrie Mortrud, RN

Nurse Staffing Specialist

“You need to work more efficiently!”

“You need to work smarter!”

“You need to work overtime!”

 

It’s called blaming the victim and all are highly inappropriate and unacceptable employer responses following an assault. Victim blaming is a poor defense. In fact, there is no good defense for assault. No excuses either.

The employer must stop blaming the employee-victim for an assault. The employer must take responsibility for their employees’ safety.
… Read more about: STOP VICTIM SHAMING! STOP BLAMING THE EMPLOYEES!  »

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  »

Members of three unions plan informational picket May 29


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  »

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) – 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

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?  »

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  »