Video: 2015 MNA Nurses Day on the Hill (Page 65)

150 MNA member nurses came to the Capitol in St. Paul to tell lawmakers they want a Safe Patient Standard and that nurses and patients are not safe in the workplace.

 

 

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?  »

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?  »

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 Because of the Board’s outdated views, Andy’s university was no longer willing to offer its courses to students located in Minnesota.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  »

Please contact Senators Klobuchar and Franken today – and ask them to vote against the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act (CROmnibus) bill unless unacceptable provisions are removed.

The bill, which narrowly passed the House this week, is up for a vote in the Senate this weekend.

According to National Nurses United, the measure contains new handouts for Wall Street, wealthy political donors, and attacks the living standards of pensioners.

In a letter to members of the Senate on Friday, NNU Co-President Karen Higgins warned that “cutting pensions for seniors on fixed incomes, providing one more give-away to Wall Street and allowing the rich to further corrupt our nation’s elections move this country in the wrong direction.”

MNA members can compose and send messages directly to the senators from the online Action Center.
… Read more about: Urgent message for MNA members  »

RNs at Cambridge Medical Center made final preparations for their Nov. 20 informational picketing on Tuesday night.

MNA Cambridge members and their families turned out in force to make signs and other preparations for Thursday’s picketing.

The RNs say they are frustrated with the hospital’s emphasis on profit over patient care and staff.

RNs are very concerned about the hospital’s proposals during the current contract negotiations, and recent staff layoffs.

Community members are solidly behind nurses. “I support our nurses” signs are in yards and businesses throughout Cambridge, and community residents will join the RNs on the picket line on Thursday.
… Read more about: Cambridge RNs ready for Nov. 20 informational picketing  »