Monthly Archives: December 2013

12.05.13
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Press Release: Budget surplus shows Minnesota in the right hands


Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

Budget surplus shows Minnesota in the right hands

Minnesota nurses say a strong state can take better care of its citizens

 
Rick Fuentes
(office) 651-414-2863
(cell) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

 

(St Paul) – The latest revenue forecast shows Governor Mark Dayton and the legislature have built a strong foundation for Minnesota moving forward.  Minnesota’s Management and Budget office shows $1 billion surplus, which will be used to repay Minnesota’s schools after years of borrowing.”It’s great news and proof we put the state in the right hands,” said Linda Hamilton, RN, BSN, President of the Minnesota Nurses Association.  “Governor Dayton and state legislators put the state back into balance.”

Lawmakers put the money where it would work for Minnesotans by investing in kids, seniors, and health care and not back into the pockets of corporations.  Nurses have long warned that Minnesota can’t keep borrowing its way to mediocrity while the elite few profit from the many.

“The Governor inherited $6 billion dollars in debt, and a school system that had to loan us almost a billion of that.  Hard decisions had to be made, and we can see the state of Minnesota is back in balance,” Hamilton said.

Minnesota needs to continue on the path the Governor and legislators set that ensures all citizens are paying their fair share for the services that benefit all of us.  Dayton and lawmakers in Saint Paul need to continue to invest in the future of Minnesota, not repeat the mistakes of past policies that put its citizens deep in debt and in cuts to local services.

“The state’s economy is healthy again,” Hamilton said, “and we need to make sure Minnesota citizens stay healthy as well.”

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12.05.13
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Nurses Agree on New Contract with Virginia hospital

Nurses working at Essentia Health – Virginia Medical Center agreed to a new three year contract on Tuesday after difficult negotiations resulted in nurses working for more than three months without a contract. Nurses voted overwhelmingly to pre-authorize a strike at the facility prior to the agreement to send the message that they expect Essentia to support nurses and patients.

“We are grateful to nurses for sticking together during a very difficult process,” said Glenn Anderson, RN and Co-Chair of the bargaining unit, “and their support showed Essentia that we expect the employer to honor their promise of creating a a working environment that would attract and retain nurses and protect the quality care patients deserve.”
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12.05.13
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Specialty Spotlight: High Risk OB RN

This entry is part 16 of 15 in the series Specialty NursesThe Gypsy Nurse could not be successful without the support and contributions of it’s readers. Today’s Specialty Spotlight is from reader and Specialty Nurse Patricia C Pitts, RNC -OB / CNM who works as a High Risk OB RN. Name: Patricia C Pitts, RNC -OB / CNM Job Title: High Risk OB RN List your education/certifications: Where do you work: Currently assigned 30 miles out to sea on Nantucket Island. MA. Nantucket Cottage Hospital. Considered a Critical Access facility it is part of the Partners Hospital Network with affiliations to Mass General & Brigham & Womem’s Hospital . A very High tech 17 bed facility, departments include but not limited to OB, ED, MS/Tele & Dialysis . Because of its location & distance from the mainland, this is not the place for the new grad or the inexperienced ! How long have you worked this Specialty? Expert Greater than 5 years How/Why did you get involved? Was there someone/something that inspired you to choose this specialty? That came out of my love of Midwifery & the great experiences I had . I love to teach & precept new nurses to the field. What do you do in a typical day? Since I have been working nights for about 20 yrs, my typical day consists of what the rest of the world do at night. …..Sleep ! That being said, my night at work consists of taking care of pregnant […]

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12.04.13
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What travel nursing means to me

What travel nursing means to me  …getting to make dreams come true for my family. Guest Article written by: Michelle Lane On September 20 I arrived in Anchorage, Alaska for my assignment in Seward. I accepted this assignment because my baby sister, who I had not seen since she was 4, lives in Alaska. (I finally found her 5 years ago online. Long story short – bitter divorce between her mother and my father.) Me being able to come here not only gave me the opportunity to see my sister again, but I was able to make 2 dreams come true for my father, who is almost 77! 1. See my sister again. 2. See Alaska, which is on his bucket list. I want to personally thank each of you that helped me make this happen by giving a determined CNA the time and advice that brought me to this day. All of my Gypsy family- Thank You! Thank you Holly Fenn of Fusion Med Staff – this contract is more than a job!!! I can never thank you enough for all that you did, and continue to do. Myself, my father and my sister are forever in your debt!! THIS is because of all of you!  About the Author: Michelle is originally from Baltimore County, Maryland, a suburb area called Essex, where she lived until she was 15.  Her family then transplanted to Norfolk, Virginia. Michelle is married to ‘my wonderful husband’ Jay, and they have 2 daughters; Krysta (almost 22), and Kaitlynn […]

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