Comments for Minnesota Nurses

Comment on Medical Assistance Reimbursement and Community Paramedics by Legislative Update, Feb. 3, 2012 « Minnesota Nurses

Legislative Update, Feb. 3, 2012 « Minnesota Nurses — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:05:39 +0000

[...] Legislation to define the Community Paramedic services that are eligible for Medical Assistance reimbursement was introduced in the Senate by Senator Rosen (R-24, Fairmont) as SF 1543 and by Representative Mack (R-37A, Apple Valley) in the House as HF 2060. Click here to read MNA’s letter in opposition to this bill. [...]

Comment on St. Paul Public School Teachers – Standing up for Students! by Breaking News: St. Paul Public School Teachers Reach Tentative Agreement; Today’s Picket Cancelled « Minnesota Nurses

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:55:12 +0000

[...] School Teachers reached a tentative agreement last night in their contract talks. As a result today’s informational picket is CANCELLED. 44.930224 -93.115068 Share [...]

Comment on MNA RN on Unsafe Staffing Levels: Enough is Enough! by Michael Russo

Michael Russo — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:36:14 +0000

I totally agree with Barb. The hospital will do nothing to improve staffing unless they are forced to do it either by strike or a law. I have filled out so many unsafe staffing reports and I see no changes only less staff and the hospital unwilling to hire more nurses. So as always the nurses are covering for the hospitals and the hospital knows theat the nurses will not turn their backs on their patients. We have a new CNO and when she came in she was going to change staffing for the better. Well she has change staffing alright. There are less nurses to cover the shifts. I guess she is going for a bigger bonus. This is what our new CNO said to a group of ANMs that were talking with her. There is no doubt in her mind that there will be another strike by the nurses. So I hope all the nurses are saving some extra money as a strike fund. I am sure the hospitals are.

Comment on MNA RN on Unsafe Staffing Levels: Enough is Enough! by Barb

Barb — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:39:04 +0000

Is this a surprise? Did people really believe management was going to sit down & work with the nurses & the Union to work this problem out?
How many of you have been in on these meetings or even heard of any?
This is why I voted NO in 2010, I knew nothing would change &, unfortunately, I was right. We are exactly where we were in 2010 and,
maybe worse. I had a state representative ask me why we (nurses)caved &
told me the only way we would have change would be to force it thru a
strike. What we have is what we asked for by voting to radify.

Comment on MNA Statement on vulnerable adult crime bill introduced in MN Legislature by Janet Izzo, RN

Janet Izzo, RN — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:35:50 +0000

The new bill presented in the MN Legislature today (to make it a more serious crime to neglect vulnerable adults) brings up an interesting question. Will administrators themselves (in hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities) be held accountable for neglecting vulnerable adults if it can be proven that insufficient staffing caused the neglect?
Perhaps this will be the law that will solve the problem of under staffing. Just saying…

Comment on A note to MNA Members regarding the Sept. 1 Day of Action by Janet Izzo, RN

Janet Izzo, RN — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 20:45:11 +0000

Making fun of others is not in the best interest of the profession. We already struggle with the media making us look like fools on bill boards, television and in the press. Let’s not add to it.

I suggest protesting the capital, initiating press conferences, purchasing air time to get our point across (via commercials) and writing articles to express out points of view. Sweaty nurses in tight red t-shirts at a State Fair is humiliating as far as I’m concerned.

Comment on Support Sugar Workers by Stephani Hennen

Stephani Hennen — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 02:33:51 +0000

please enter my email address so I receive info. thx.

Comment on MNA Statement on Budget Forecast by Heidi

Heidi — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:21:53 +0000

I understand, however I don’t think we as an organization need to go as far as playing the “blame game.” I’m fine with MNA taking a side as long as both sides are presented factually and fairly and MNA explains why they have made the decision they have. This approach seems more professional to me.

Comment on MNA Statement on Budget Forecast by mnnurses

mnnurses — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:25:34 +0000

Heidi and David – thanks for the honest, open feedback and passion in your comments! I know politics can be a very difficult/tricky terrain for unions and membership to navigate together. The best way I can explain why MNA takes the stands it does politically is by linking to this post from our Blog on the “How” and “Why” behind MNA’s political actions: http://mnablog.com/2010/10/06/nursesandpolitics/

Also I should note that all our political direction/leadership/decision-making come from the elected MNA Nurse leaders and Board of Directors. With 20,000 members we realize we’ll never all agree on political statements/opinions/etc., but certainly we want everyone’s voice heard – so thank you for sharing yours!

Comment on MNA Statement on Budget Forecast by Heidi

Heidi — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:45:40 +0000

I agree. MNA appears to be very one-sided on all of these issues. I’ve just recently rejoined MNA after letting my membership go for a few years and I don’t like the direction it appears they have taken in that time. I’m very disappointed. These types of issues are extremely complicated and I don’t feel they can be entirely “blamed” on one political party or the other. Both parties have their rationale for voting the way they do, whether or not it’s rationale with which we agree. I’m sure I’m not alone in saying I would like to see MNA be professional enough to give both sides of the argument without their bias. Please let us as educated professionals decide how we want to interpret the information.