By Linda Hamilton

Nurses share a common theme:  they are totally committed to their co-workers, the communities they serve and to delivering safe patient care.  That’s what NNU Co-President Jean Ross, Board Director Mary Turne, and I saw in Ely, Virginia, International Falls, and Hibbing.

What a great road trip we had as nurses shared with us their stories of the joys and struggles of working in some of our Greater Minnesota hospitals.  Some of them bravely work in critical access hospitals such as, International Falls and Ely, and some are dedicated care-givers in larger facilities, such as Hibbing and Virginia.

MNA President Linda Hamilton with Ely nurses Prudence LaLone, Roberta Childers, NNU Co-President Jean Ross, Kathleen Champa, Susan Pasmick, Susan Maki, Heidi Artisensi, Mary Turner, Mary Ann Smith

Their contracts expire over the next year and they are working to create and maintain effective solidarity within their units and with the public.  We discussed ways we can bring the strength of our 20,000 MNA nurses and the 185,000 NNU nurses nationally to their negotiation table.

Ely nurses (L to R) Susan Maki, Prudence LaLone, and Roberta Childers meet with MNA President Linda Hamilton and NNU Co-President Jean Ross.

Thank you to all who met with us and those who proudly showed us their great facilities. We will stand together over the next year.

Ely nurses (L to R) Susan Pasmick, Mary Ann Smith, MNA Board member Mary Turner, Kathleen Champa, Susan Maki, with MNA President Linda Hamilton.