MNA Legislative Update, February 27, 2015 (Page 63)

Workplace Violence Prevention bill on the move

Last week, Rep. Joe Atkins introduced the Violence Against Health Care Workers bill, an effort to prevent workplace violence in the health care setting. We are pleased that the House bill has bipartisan support with Republican Representatives Greg Davids and Nick Zerwas joining DFL Representatives Atkins, Erin Murphy, Karen Clark, Joe Mullery, Frank Hornstein, Leon Lilly, and JoAnn Ward as co-authors.

This week, Senator Chuck Wiger introduced the Senate companion to the bill, SF1071. Co-authors are Senators Chris Eaton, RN; Scott Dibble and Barb Goodwin. Please stay tuned to learn about upcoming opportunities to advocate for this bill.

Please say thank you to Senator Wiger for introducing this important bill! His office number is 651-296-6820 or you can send him an email using this form.

Deficiency Funding bill

The deficiency funding bill passed yesterday in both the House and Senate and was presented to the Governor today with the compromise language on commissioner pay raises, which had been the sticking point. The bill includes funding for the Minnesota Security Hospital as well as Ebola-related costs.

Student Nurse Day on the Hill

On Wednesday, about 400 nursing students from all over Minnesota came to St. Paul to learn more about why MNA nurses take patient advocacy from the bedside to the Capitol.  MNA member leaders were there to welcome the students to the most trusted profession, and invite them to join us in advocating for a Safe Patient Standard, workplace violence prevention and health care for all.

Wednesdays at the Capitol

Most Wednesdays, we bring small groups of nurses to the Capitol to meet with legislators about our priority bills. Our next visit is March 4. We’ll meet at the MNA office for a briefing and a quick training on talking to legislators, then we’ll carpool to the Capitol to talk to elected officials about the need for Safe Patient Standard and Workplace Violence Prevention legislation. We’ll return to the office around 1 p.m. and have lunch. Please contact Geri Katz at geri.katz@mnnurses.org or Eileen Gavin  at eileen.gavin.mnnurses.org for more information or to sign up.

Budget Forecast

Released today, the February budget forecast projects the state will have a $1.8 billion surplus in the next biennium. Minnesota’s economy is making a strong comeback after the recession, with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Expect the Governor and legislative leaders to debate how to use those funds: tax cuts, additional spending and investment, or a combination of both.

Wisconsin Solidarity Rally

As you probably already know, Governor Scott Walker and Republicans are trying to pass a so-called “Right to Work” law in Wisconsin. This legislation, crafted by corporate special interests, would weaken workers’ rights across the border.

Tomorrow, there is a solidarity rally in Madison. Minnesotans can catch a bus from Hudson, WI (right across the border). The bus will leave from the park and ride lot at Interstate 94 and Carmichael Road at 7 a.m.

The rally starts at noon at the State Capitol in Madison.

Let’s show our brothers and sisters in Wisconsin that Minnesota’s working people stand with them!

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In: Legislative Policy

Workplace Violence Prevention bill on the move

Last week, Rep. Joe Atkins introduced the Violence Against Health Care Workers bill, an effort to prevent workplace violence in the health care setting. We are pleased that the House bill has bipartisan support with Republican Representatives Greg Davids and Nick Zerwas joining DFL Representatives Atkins, Erin Murphy, Karen Clark, Joe Mullery, Frank Hornstein, Leon Lilly, and JoAnn Ward as co-authors.

This week, Senator Chuck Wiger introduced the Senate companion to the bill, SF1071. Co-authors are Senators Chris Eaton, RN; Scott Dibble and Barb Goodwin. Please stay tuned to learn about upcoming opportunities to advocate for this bill.
… Read more about: MNA Legislative Update, February 27, 2015  »

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In: Bargaining, Minnesota Nurses Association

By Sherri Lidholm, Jodi Isaacs, Shannon Wilberg, Ellyn Peterson: Deer River Health Care Center negotiating team

Negotiations with Essentia Health in Deer River started with a “contraband” cake and ended with our members ratifying a contract that improves compensation, stems the tide of RNs leaving for better-paying jobs in nearby hospitals, and strengthens our union solidarity.

Bargaining got off to a bumpy start last September when we served a cake decorated with the MNA logo to passers-by in an area near the hospital lobby to kick off negotiations. Administration asked us to leave and canceled the next day’s negotiating session.
… Read more about: Nurse power pays off in Deer River  »

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In: Activism, Minnesota Nurses Association, Patient Safety Standards, Unsafe Staffing

 

MNA DOH at MNDH web (2)

Inspiring, empowering, and energizing. Those are some of the words MNA members used to describe Day on the Hill 2015.

About 150 RNs from throughout Minnesota stood up for their patients, their profession, and their communities at the February 9-10 event in St. Paul.

Members sat down with their legislators to share their experiences as bedside RNs to show why a Safe Patient Standard and workplace violence prevention legislation are needed. They told their personal stories of instances where patient safety was threatened because of understaffing; and times when they were subjected to workplace violence themselves.
… Read more about: Nurses bring 'passionate commitment' to 2015 Day on the Hill  »

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In: Minnesota Nurses Association

 

In response to recent attacks on nurses’ safety and their ability to provide safe, quality care for their patients, MNA members are speaking to legislators about safe patient staffing levels and workplace safety in 2015.

Nurses visited the Capitol January 28 to speak to legislators about the need for a Safe Patient Standard. They told lawmakers that patients are at risk when nurses have too many to care for at one time, and urged legislators to create a standard for nurse staffing that protects patient safety.

Nurses from North Memorial Medical Center “adopted” the day to talk specifically about the serious staffing issues facing the nurses and patients there.
… Read more about: When RNs speak, policymakers listen  »

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In: Minnesota Nurses Association

 

 

Hospitals Blatantly Disregard Minnesota Law

Patients, nurses, healthcare workers, and Minnesota citizens won a hard-fought victory in the 2013 legislative session when Governor Dayton signed into law the Staffing Plan Disclosure Act.  The purpose of the Act was to increase hospital transparency and study the effects of nurse staffing on patient outcomes.  Unfortunately, Minnesota hospitals have all but thumbed their nose at the state law, openly flaunting the demands of legislators and citizens alike.

Minnesota Department of Health Cites Lack of Hospital Cooperation

In order to study nurse staffing under the law, the Minnesota Department of Health convened a workgroup consisting of nurses, hospital administrators, and other key stakeholders.  
… Read more about: Are Minnesota Hospitals Above the Law?  »

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In: Minnesota Nurses Association, Nursing

By Mathew Keller, RN JD, MNA Nurse Policy Specialist

We’ve all heard the news about the “nursing crisis” or “nursing shortage,” but imagine my surprise when, after graduating froNursem the University of Minnesota’s BSN program about 10 years ago, my classmates and I had a difficult time finding jobs. In fact, many of my peers were eventually forced to take on travel nursing assignments. Several are still in California, Missouri, and even Hawaii.

We here at MNA take claims of a nursing shortage very seriously. One of our priorities is to advocate for the profession. But, after digging into the numbers, we were surprised by what we found.
… Read more about: Minnesota Nursing Shortage: Fact or Fiction?  »

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In: Minnesota Board of Nursing, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurse education

By Mathew Keller, RN JD, MNA Regulatory and Policy Nursing Specialist

In early August, Minnesota registered nurse Andy Gladstein had just completed his third week of an online RN to MSN program via Grand Canyon State University in Arizona.  Andy had entered the program to further his education in response to national calls for increased nurse education, and he was excited about his progress. Much to his surprise, Andy was suddenly and without warning disenrolled by his university due to the Minnesota Board of Nursing’s old-fashioned views of online education. Because of the Board’s outdated views, Andy’s university was no longer willing to offer its courses to students located in Minnesota. 
… Read more about: MN Board of Nursing’s Old-Fashioned Views Limit Nursing Education  »