(Virginia, MN) – December 17, 2025 – Nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association at Essentia Health-Virginia have voted to ratify their contract, concluding months of prolonged and challenging negotiations in which nurses remained unified in their advocacy for patient care and a sustainable health care system on the Iron Range.
The agreement became final only after nurses reviewed and voted to ratify the tentative agreement, underscoring the importance of frontline caregivers having a direct and democratic voice in decisions that affect their work and their patients.
“This contract was won because nurses stood together,” said Jodi Hensley, RN and co-chair. “By voting to ratify this agreement, nurses showed the strength of our collective voice and our shared commitment to protecting patient care and respect for those who provide it.”
The ratification marks a transition from negotiations to contract enforcement and continued advocacy, affirming the role of nurses as active participants in their workplace and in the care they provide.
Nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association remain committed to advancing patient centered healthcare that is accessible, sustainable and guided by frontline expertise. Through ongoing solidarity, nurses will continue to use their seat at the table to advocate for their patients, profession and the community.
