MNA NewsScan, November 16, 2012: New book is love story to nursing profession (Page 77)

NOTES ON NURSING

“The American Nurse” is a love story for the profession.“I thought I was making a book that would celebrate nurses. I ended up gaining a better understanding of the country through the lens of the American nurse. I have altered my thinking about religion; I have completely changed my feelings about end-of-life.”

LABOR UPDATES

The ethics gap keeps widening for big money – BP Fined a Record $4B; Displayed “Profit Over Prudence”   Federal officials blamed BP’s culture of profit for the spill. “The explosion of the rig was a disaster that resulted from BP’s culture of privileging profit over prudence,” said Assistant Atty. Gen. Lanny A. Breuer.  Wal-Mart Corruption Scandel Continues to Unfold    Wal-Mart on Thursday reported that its investigation into violations of a federal antibribery law had extended beyond Mexico to China, India and Brazil, some of the retailer’s most important international markets.

Making the Case for Paid Maternity Leave    I want to share this with you because it’s important for everyone to understand how crucial a maternity leave is, as we all live in a nation that does not require employees to provide a full, paid maternity leave (at least twelve weeks). The first three months postpartum changes a woman’s brain. And it changes for the better.

The Bell Tolls for Ding Dongs     Union President Frank Hurt said the company’s failure was not the fault of the union but the “result of nearly a decade of financial and operational mismanagement” and that management was trying to make union workers the scapegoats for a plan by Wall Street investors to sell Hostess.

HEALTH CARE

Divorce Means Loss of Health Insurance for Many Women   A study released this week from the University of Michigan reveals that roughly 115,000 American women lose their private health insurance annually after a divorce and about half of them do not get replacement coverage. The researchers also said this is not a “temporary disruption.” They found that “women’s overall rates of health insurance coverage remain depressed for more than two years after divorce, as long as our data allow us to test.”

On:
In: Activism, Health Care Reform, Healthcare, Hospitals, Nurses, Nursing, Politics

NOTES ON NURSING


“The American Nurse” is a love story for the profession.“I thought I was making a book that would celebrate nurses. I ended up gaining a better understanding of the country through the lens of the American nurse. I have altered my thinking about religion; I have completely changed my feelings about end-of-life.”

LABOR UPDATES

The ethics gap keeps widening for big money – BP Fined a Record $4B; Displayed “Profit Over Prudence”   Federal officials blamed BP’s culture of profit for the spill. “The explosion of the rig was a disaster that resulted from BP’s culture of privileging profit over prudence,” said Assistant Atty.
… Read more about: MNA NewsScan, November 16, 2012: New book is love story to nursing profession  »

On:
In: Activism, Healthcare, Nurses, Nursing, Organizing, Politics

Nursing issues are at stake in this election.  With a nurse-friendly legislature we can:

  • Advance MNA’s Safe Staffing bill
  • Stop the Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact from bringing down Minnesota’s nursing standards
  • Protect Workers’ Rights

Many MNA-endorsed candidates are in close races and help from nurses could put them over the top. 
MNA’s 2012 Legislative Scorecard offers insight into voting records on nursing issues of candidates who served in last year’s legislature and are running for re-election.     

Get out your calendar and block out time to:

On:
In: Activism, Healthcare, Hospitals, Nurses, Nursing, Organizing, Politics

NOTES ON NURSING

Hayride For Patient Safety in Marshall  MNA Nurses at Marshall Avera Regional Medical Center took to the streets on Oct. 23 – on a haywagon – to campaign for a fair contract that keeps patients safe.   

LABOR NEWS

Today in History:  In 1940, the 40-hour work week went into effect under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.

Equal Pay?  U.S. Still Doesn’t Get it Right    If a young man and woman fresh out of college with the same degree walk into a large firm, typically, the man can get placed in higher-wage jobs than the woman.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, October 24, 2012: Marshall action; Honoring Wellstones; Equal pay news is dismal  »

On:
In: Uncategorized

MNA nurses at Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center took their patient advocacy to the streets yesterday – on a haywagon!  Carrying the message of “Nurses on the Frontlines for Main Street People,” the nurses rode a very public route that included passing the hospital, Southwest State University and the HyVee, as well as through residential streets.  Negotiations are dragging and nurses are demanding a contract that helps nurses keep patients safe, including:

• adequate staffing

• A contract that gives us a stronger voice in patient care

• Healthy workplaces that keep nurses at the bedside

MNA members distributed nearly 1,000 flyers with the name and contact information of Avera CEO, Mary Martens.
… Read more about: Marshall Nurses on Hayride for Patient Safety  »

On:
In: Activism, Healthcare, Hospitals, Nurses, Nursing, Politics

HEALTH CARE

Hospitals Add 8,000 New Jobs in September   Altogether, the healthcare sector added 43,500 jobs last month–more than a  third of the 114,000 jobs the U.S. economy added in September.

Mayo Clinic Adds Bismark Hospital to Network   The Mayo Clinic has added Bismarck-based St. Alexius Medical Center to its national network of hospitals, its first medical center in that part of North Dakota and its 10th in the past year.

The Ups and Downs of Electronic Medical Records   As health care providers adopt electronic records, the challenges have proved daunting, with a potential for mix-ups and confusion that can be frustrating, costly and even dangerous.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, October 10, 2012: Hospitals add 8k new jobs in Sept.; Adequate nurse staffing a universal problem  »

On:
In: Uncategorized

Join your fellow union members as we say –

WORKING FAMILIES VOTE NO!

We Are Minnesota, a coalition of local unions including MNA, is sponsoring a rally to demonstrate our opposition to BOTH constitutional amendments that will be on the ballot this fall.

WHEN & WHERE:  Sunday, September 30 in St. Paul’s Rice Park

Gather at 12:30; program (about 45 minutes) at 1:00.

Emcee will be SAG-AFTRA and Equity member Sue Scott of Prairie Home Companion, and speakers will include labor leaders, rank-and-file members, and dignitaries.  We’ll also have some great musical performers, including the Twin Cities Labor Chorus and AFofM member singer-guitarist Scott Dercks, who will lead us in a sing-along to end the program.
… Read more about: Sunday, September 30 Rally – Working Families Vote No!  »

On:
In: Activism, Politics

[youtube=http://youtu.be/sOGjZoI55UE]

It may seem like a simple thing, requiring Minnesotans to show their photo ID before they vote. As a matter of fact, some of your friends and neighbors still think it is. You might even think it makes sense.

That’s why we want you to watch this new video . The voter restriction amendment is far from simple and that is why we oppose it. As a matter of fact, the legislature made it very complicated. It will cost millions to implement and ends Minnesota’s 40-year tradition of Election Day registration.

The voter restriction amendment being considered here is the most restrictive in the country, placing hurdles between the ballot box and Minnesotans serving in the military, seniors and young voters.
… Read more about: This Fall, Vote NO on Voter ID  »