Council of Active Retired Nurses (CARn) - Minnesota Nurses Association

Are you thinking of retiring soon or are you already retired? You can keep active in MNA by joining the Council of Active Retired Nurses (CARn)!

What is the Council of Active Retired Nurses (CARn)?

CARn is the retiree Council of the Minnesota Nurses Association. Any retired MNA member can join. Its objective is to provide an avenue for retired MNA members to continue to promote and support MNA’s goals.

What does CARn do?

Some of the activities CARn is involved in:

Advocate for upholding the standards of the nursing profession
Participate in strike lines/informational picketing
Support organizing initiatives
Volunteer at CARn endorsed community events
Work for and support MNA endorsed political candidates
Educating the public on issues important to the health and well-being of all Minnesotans
Provide assistance with bargaining unit activities (votes, education sessions, rallies, etc.)
Assist the MNA Commissions in the mentorship of other nurses

The possibilities are endless!

Download the 2024 CARn Brochure

Complete the MNA Membership Application: Non-Bargaining Unit

Complete CARn Interest Form

MNA Nightingale Tribute Program

The Council of Active Retired Nurses has implemented this program to honor nurses for their years of dedication to nursing to be presented during the nurse’s memorial service by a nurse colleague or friend. Inspired by the original Nightingale Tribute program through the Kansas State Nurses Association.

Nursing is a calling, a way of life. Nursing is a service profession that cannot be lived in isolation. Nurses rely on each other for the synergistic effect of teamwork in or efforts of caregiving. It is appropriate that we honor our colleagues not only during their careers but also at the end of life’s journey.

Learn more about the Nightingale Tribute Program

CARn members volunteer in many phonebanks each year, from spreading the word on endorsed political candidates to spreading the word on union solidarity. Please reach out to Julie Anderson at julie.anderson@mnnurses.org if you have volunteer opportunities for CARn members to help spread the word in your union campaigns!

CARn members at the 2019 MNA Convention Honors and Awards Banquet, where they received the 2019 MNA Distinguished Service Award.

Hobbies can be a great way to give back to the community – CARn members donated hundreds of handmade little red caps to the American Heart Association before new research led the AHA to end the program. CARn members are continuing to put their talents and hearts to use in other volunteer programs to improve the lives of those around them.

Retirees are welcome to attend CARN meetings, which are 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the MNA office in St. Paul.

January 10, 2024
February 14, 2024
March 13, 2024 – Leadership Committee
April 10, 2024
May 8, 2024
June 12, 2024
August 14, 2024
September 11, 2024 – Leadership Committee
October 9, 2024
November 13, 2024
December 11, 2024

All CARn members are invited to CARn Leadership Committee meetings.

For more information, please contact Julie Anderson (CARn email)