Press Release-Minnesota nurses heads to the Philippines to aid disaster victims (Page 73)

Minnesota Nurse Heads to the Philippines to Aid Disaster Victims

As usual, Duluth registered nurse Anna Rathbun is spending her holidays caring for others, but this year she will be half a world away from her hometown, as she tends to victims of a hurricane-ravaged country. She is joining the third wave of nurses to be sent to the Philippines by the RN Response Network (RNRN), coordinated by National Nurses United. Rathbun is serving in Roxas City, on the Panay Island to provide medical support for those affected by the Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.

“They’ve lost everything,” Rathbun said, “and the place where I hope to go is one of the impoverished areas of the Philippines.  The people there need help more than anyone else.”Rathbun, an RN at St. Luke’s Intensive Care Unit was chosen for her experience helping the most serious patients that come through the hospital, even though she’s been a nurse for only three years.”I’ll do whatever’s needed to save somebody’s life.  I have the skills to help people in need,” Rathbun said, “I may be bandaging wounds or administering medicine, but even if I can just be a listening ear that helps make a difference.  You never know who will come forward to help.”Rathbun responded to a call for help from the Registered Nurse Response Network sent through the Minnesota Nurses Association-National Nurses United.  Rathbun is part of the third deployment of nurses from around the country and joins nurses from Massachusetts, Arizona, California, and Maine selected to make the trip this week.  In some parts of the islands, the situation has gotten worse.  An oil spill situation that occurred off the coast of Estancia was inflamed by the typhoon.  Citizens on the coast and now inland are facing dramatically worse health hazards than just those brought by the typhoon.Rathbun leaves Monday, December 9, and won’t return until the end of the month, which causes her to feel torn about leaving her current patients in Duluth.”I decided to go because I know the nurses I work with,” Rathbun said, “and I know our patients will be well taken care of.  I think I can use my skills in a place that really needs help.”So far, more than 3,000 RNs from all 50 states and 19 nations have volunteered through RNRN of NNU to assist with the relief project for Haiyan/Yolanda. Donations for care can still be accepted through this link:  http://www.nationalnursesunited.org/pages/rnrn-disaster-relief-fund

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Anna Rathbun, RN

Rathbun, an ICU nurse at Duluth’s St. Luke’s hospital, is headed to the Philippines to help typhoon victims. 

About MNA:

With more than 20,000 members in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, MNA is the leading organization for registered nurses in the Midwest and is among the oldest and largest representatives of RNs for collective bargaining in the nation.  Established in 1905, MNA is a multi-purpose organization that fosters high standards for nursing education and practice, and works to advance the profession through legislative activity.  MNA is an affiliate of National Nurses United.

About NNU:

National Nurses United, with close to 185,000 members in every state, is the largest union and professional association of registered nurses in U.S. history.

NNU was founded in 2009 unifying three of the most active, progressive organizations in the U.S.—and the major voices of unionized nurses—in the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, United American Nurses, and Massachusetts Nurses Association.

RNRN graphicHelp send more nurses to help victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.  Many nurses have volunteered, but organizational funds are needed to sponsor them.  Donate now

By mail: Make checks payable to CNF/RNRN and mail them to: CNF/RNRN, 2000 Franklin St. Oakland, CA 94612.

Online:  www.nationalnursesunited.org 

RNRN is a project of the NNU and the California Nurses Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

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In: Minnesota Nurses Association, National Nurses United, Nurses

Minnesota Nurse Heads to the Philippines to Aid Disaster Victims

As usual, Duluth registered nurse Anna Rathbun is spending her holidays caring for others, but this year she will be half a world away from her hometown, as she tends to victims of a hurricane-ravaged country. She is joining the third wave of nurses to be sent to the Philippines by the RN Response Network (RNRN), coordinated by National Nurses United. Rathbun is serving in Roxas City, on the Panay Island to provide medical support for those affected by the Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.
… Read more about: Press Release-Minnesota nurses heads to the Philippines to aid disaster victims  »

“They’ve lost everything,” Rathbun said, “and the place where I hope to go is one of the impoverished areas of the Philippines. 

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In: Bargaining, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurses

Nurses were prepared to walk out on job

Nurses working at Essentia Health – Virginia Medical Center agreed to a new three year contract on Tuesday after difficult negotiations resulted in nurses working for more than three months without a contract. Nurses voted overwhelmingly to pre-authorize a strike at the facility prior to the agreement to send the message that they expect Essentia to support nurses and patients.

“We are grateful to nurses for sticking together during a very difficult process,” said Glenn Anderson, RN and Co-Chair of the bargaining unit, “and their support showed Essentia that we expect the employer to honor their promise of creating a a working environment that would attract and retain nurses and protect the quality care patients deserve.” In 2011, Essentia management asked for nurses’ support when it began the affiliation process of Virginia Regional Medical Center, and nurses obliged under the promise that a new ownership structure would improve patient care.
… Read more about: Nurses Agree on New Contract with Virginia Hospital  »

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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

Budget surplus shows Minnesota in the right hands

Minnesota nurses say a strong state can take better care of its citizens

 
Rick Fuentes
(office) 651-414-2863
(cell) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

 
… Read more about: Press Release: Budget surplus shows Minnesota in the right hands  »

(St Paul) – The latest revenue forecast shows Governor Mark Dayton and the legislature have built a strong foundation for Minnesota moving forward.  Minnesota’s Management and Budget office shows $1 billion surplus, which will be used to repay Minnesota’s schools after years of borrowing.”It’s great news and proof we put the state in the right hands,” said Linda Hamilton, RN, BSN, President of the Minnesota Nurses Association. 

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In: Activism, Bargaining, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurses, Organizing, Patient Safety

After another session in an eight-month long contract negotiation process ended without an agreement, nurses bargaining with the Allina system are calling for the health care corporation to put the community first. “We are deeply concerned that Allina wants to treat workers in Hastings differently than they do in other parts of the state, and that tactic will affect the care we are able to deliver to our neighbors and friends,” said MNA negotiator Jane Traynor, RN.

MNA nurses from all over the Allina corporate system arrived in Hastings early Tuesday morning to help their new colleagues deliver a message of solidarity on behalf of their patients to hospital administrators at Regina Medical Center.
… Read more about: Hastings Nurses Tell Allina: “Care for Our Community”  »

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Minnesota State Capitol St Paul MinnesotaOn Wed., Nov. 13, Minnesota legislators convened a joint committee on Health and Human Services to review process of the Minnesota Board of Nursing regarding licensure and discipline of nursing professionals.  MNA submitted written testimony reflecting the organization’s position on the issue.

Senator Kathy Sheran
Representative Tina Liebling
75 Rev Martin Luther King Blvd
St. Paul, MN  55115

Written statement to the Joint Committee on Health and Human Services

November 12, 2013

The Minnesota Nurses Association respects the purpose of this Joint Committee hearing to review licensing and disciplinary processes of Minnesota’s Board of Nursing.
… Read more about: MNA Statement on State Licensure Process Review  »

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Aitkin-nursesAn energized group of nurses confronted their boss on Tuesday at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, spurred by their determination to achieve a fair union contract. “This agreement helps us protect our patients,” said Bargaining Unit Co-Chair Lynda Smith, RN. “My colleagues will use every tool available to us to advocate for our patients. With a legal contract behind us, we stand up for each other and ourselves to demand what is right for the safety of our patients.”

The 48 registered nurses represented by MNA have been negotiating their contract since mid-August and another bargaining session scheduled for Nov.
… Read more about: Aitkin Nurses Demand a Fair Contract  »

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Nurses at Regina Medical Center in Hastings are a determined bunch, and they want parity. For now, they’ll take answers.  About 30 of them attended the latest round of bargaining talks to meet with management and make a statement that they support their negotiating team.

One hitch:  management heard that nurses wanted to attend, and their bargaining team stayed in their caucus room rather than come out and meet them.  The employer, forgot, however, that their caucus room has a window to the sidewalk.  So, nurses tracked down their meeting room and made their statement through the window to force the employer’s negotiators to turn around and see them.
… Read more about: Hastings nurses not waiting for answers  »

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Nurses in Thief River Falls spent Halloween afternoon telling the boss to stop playing tricks with people’s lives.  Sanford Health recently announced it would implement monstrous cuts in its insurance package, forcing nurses to pay double what they’re currently expending  for premiums and co-pays.

The changes are simply devastating to working families.  “We’re on the street and hope this action will make Sanford management decide to listen to us, our families and every employee of this hospital,” said Bargaining Unit Co-Chair Tiffany Eidelbes.

Nurses were joined on an informational picket line by MNA nurses from Bagley, Bemidji and the  Twin Cities, along with other staff members from the hospital. 
… Read more about: Nurses show Thief River Falls Sanford benefits are scary  »

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Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association gathered in St. Paul Oct. 13 – 16 to set the wheels in motion of another eventful year ahead.   Gathering for the 108th time in the history of the organization, nurses made noteworthy operational changes; attended provocative education sessions; shared experiences during networking opportunities and took time to honor the achievements of colleagues who have made significant contributions to nursing and MNA.

“Our journey ahead will result in the advancement of our nursing profession through the solidarity of bedside nurses,” declared MNA President Linda Hamilton as she welcomed the elected leaders during opening ceremonies of the House of Delegates.
… Read more about: Staff Nurses Unite at MNA’s 108th Annual Convention  »