But some critics complain that the rules don’t broaden the religious employer exemption.
Monthly Archives: August 2014
New contracts improve staffing, wages, benefits
From the far north to the far southwest of Minnesota, MNA nurses are winning new contracts that improve staffing, wages, and benefits. Nurses reached out and received community support in their communities to show employers that citizens support nurses.
Nurses at Rainy Lake Medical Center in International Falls, Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming, Sanford Worthington Medical Center, and Fairview Range Regional Health Services in Hibbing have all voted to ratify new contracts in the last month.
International Falls. It took nearly a year of standing strong for a fair contract that protects safe patient care, but Rainy Lake Medical Center nurses approved a tentative agreement and have a new contract this month.
“The community’s support was key for reaching a fair contract and was greatly appreciated,” said Bargaining Unit Co-Chair Wendy Sutch. “The signs posted in businesses, homes, and car windows throughout the community show the public understands the important role that nurses play in patient care and safety.”
The new contract includes a 5.5 percent wage increase over the three-year contract.
Fairview Lakes. Nurses at Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming, MN, were less than a week away from informational picketing when they reached a tentative agreement with management.
“We achieved a good contract because members stood together,” said Bargaining Unit Co-Chair Sue Kreitz.
“Signs in local businesses, stickers, a giant ‘sympathy card’ for management, a video showing the unequal treatment of clinic nurses, and an imminent informational picket sent a clear message we were standing up for a fair contract that benefits staff, patients, and our community,” said Bargaining Unit Co-Chair Sandie Anderson.
The new contract makes progress toward addressing scheduling concerns, provides for required reviews of staffing levels and guidelines, and maintains hard-fought-for benefits, all of which will enable the hospital and clinic to attract and retain nurses.
Sanford Worthington. Community support was essential in securing a new three-year contract in Worthington.
“Worthington area residents showed they value nurses and the important role we play in the community by displaying ‘We Support Our Nurses’ signs in their yards and businesses, and voicing support and appreciation wherever they could,” said Bargaining Unit Co-Chair Nancy Ihrke.
“We stood up for a fair contract that attracts and retains quality nurses,” said Bargaining Unit Co-Chair Monica McCoy.
The new contract includes a 5.5 percent wage increase over the three-year contract and members retained all benefits.
Hibbing. Fairview Range nurses won 4.5 percent raises over the three-year contract in the wage-only negotiations.
“Members agreed to discuss wages in these negotiations so we could work for the next three years on improving safe staffing,” said Negotiating Team member Jon Wesley.
With Coverage Through Obamacare, Transgender Woman Opts For Surgery
The nation’s health law opens the door for transgender people to gain coverage for gender reassignment surgeries they previously could not afford.
Reminder – Workplace Violence and Incivility Professional Issues Panel Application Closes Aug. 31
Obamacare Still ‘Red Meat’ For GOP Candidates But Focus Of Attacks Shift
Rather than simply calling for repeal, Republicans argue the law is hurting consumers, taxpayers.
Ask a Travel Nurse: What do I need to make sure is in my contract?
Ask a Travel Nurse: What do I need to make sure is in my contract?
Ask a Travel Nurse Question:
What do I need to make sure is in my contract? I am going to be working with a Travel Nurse company for the first time and I want to make sure that I get everything that’s been promised to me.
Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:
I think you may have answered your own question 
ANYTHING that is promised to you should be in your contract. You also need to decide that if certain things are promised, and not delivered, is it enough to cause you to “walk” on your contract. If you believe that you would ever consider doing this, then you need to also make sure certain things are NOT in your contract.
First, you should have the conditions of your work assignment. Things like the location of the hospital, unit in which you will be working, shift, hours per week, rate for base time, rate for OT and holidays.
Next you will want to look for the things that the travel company I providing for you, like medical/dental, housing or a stipend, and any reimbursements for things like state licensure or travel. Stipends or reimbursements should have a dollar amount attached to them and housing should specify a one-bedroom apartment (if that is what you agreed upon).
I mention the one-bedroom apartment because this is probably the thing most promised, and then not delivered. I have heard from many travelers that were promised a one-bedroom only to have their recruiter tell them they couldn’t find one, but would move them (from an extended stay hotel) to a one-bedroom as soon as one became available (which usually ends up being never).
To combat this, I always have the address of where I am staying at least a few days prior to arrival. If I were just starting with a new company, and they promised a one-bedroom apartment as part of my package, I would first make VERY clear to my recruiter that if I did not have the address prior to leaving, that I would NOT be leaving.
I would then hang up the phone and immediately call the company’s housing department and ask which apartment complexes they use in the area in which I would be traveling. Rarely, you may get to choose from a few complexes, but this is not the reason for my call.
If I am traveling to Ft Lauderdale for an assignment and they cannot even give me the names of a few of the complexes they have used in the past, what does that tell you about how many of their travelers actually see the inside of a one-bedroom apartment?
I also like to have my address so that I can start to arrange for things like my cable and Internet provider.
Along with the aforementioned items, your contract may also include things like your expectations while on assignment (act professionally, follow the facility’s rules and regulations, etc). However, sometimes these are signed in a separate yearly document that is labeled something like “professional practice agreement” or such.
One thing you also want to note is the terms and conditions of your contract as far as cancellations. This is one area in which you do NOT want to see certain things.
If a company puts too much of the risk on you (regarding hospital cancellations) then you may want to consider carefully whether you are willing to assume that risk. While cancellations are not common, they are also not unheard of and some contracts I have seen will possibly have YOU paying for a remaining lease, or other “fees and penalties” for not completing your assignment, whether it was by any fault of your own, or the facility just canceled your contract because they no longer had a need.
There will also likely be wording in there about what may happen should you decide to cancel your contract and what “fees or penalties” they may impose in that situation.
Every company will word this differently, so look out for these clauses and see if you feel it places too much risk upon you in the event of a contract cancellation.
While I am not an attorney and cannot under any circumstance give you (or anyone) a legal interpretation of a travel contract, I do enjoy reading them to see how the different companies operate.
If you (or anyone) would ever like my “opinion”, merely as a travel nurse, please feel free to email me at david@travelnursesbible.com and attach a copy of your contract and I’ll be happy to look at it and give my opinion about any areas that would concern me.
I hope this helps.
David
Help elect candidates who support nurses
Minnesota’s party primaries are over, and the November 4 general election slate of candidates is set. It’s now time to make sure that candidates who share nurses’ values are elected.
If we hope to make progress toward staffing legislation that will keep patients safe, nurses need to help make sure voters to go the polls and elect candidates who will advocate for nursing, our patients, and our communities.
Nurses are the most trusted profession in the United States and the best messenger to let voters know about the candidates who will be on the side of working families.
You can join other nurses and make phone calls, talk to your neighbors and friends, and go to candidate events.
There are opportunities in every part of the state to help elect candidates who will stand with nurses.
Saturday, August 23, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Hopkins
Rep. Yvonne Selcer (48A) canvassing
Coordinated DFL office, 915 Main St., Hopkins
Tuesday, August 26, 5-8 p.m.
Phonebanking at MNA office
345 Randolph Ave, Suite 200, St. Paul
Wednesday, August 27, 2014, 5-8 p.m.
Phonebanking at MNA office
345 Randolph Ave, Suite 200, St. Paul
Thursday, September 4, 4:30-8:30 p.m.
2014 Labor Day of Action
Door knocking and phone banking for pro-labor candidates at locations around Minnesota.
MNA’s website is updated frequently with new opportunities to volunteer throughout Minnesota.
You can sign up for activities on the Member Portal on MNA’s website.
Town Hall Scranton
On Thursday, October 9, 2014, professional nurses, nursing students and the community are invited to attend the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) Town Hall meeting to share current legislative priorities and practice concerns affecting Pennsylvania’s nurses. The Town Hall Meeting will be held at the University of Scranton, DeNaples Center, McIlhenny Ballroom from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
The meeting, sponsored by PSNA and PSNA District 4 (Wayne County, Lackawanna County and Pike County) will give nurses the opportunity to discuss issues including safe staffing, violence against health care workers and APRN scopes of practice. A question and answer period will be included.
This Town Hall meeting will also include state representatives and will help them to learn more about the issues that daily impact nursing practice, recruitment and retention in the Commonwealth.
“PSNA looks forward to the open dialogue the Town Hall creates,” said PSNA Chief Executive Officer Betsy M. Snook, MEd, BSN, RN. “Face-to-face communication allows us to better understand nurses’ needs and effectively advocate for the profession.”
For more information, contact Kevin J. Busher at 717-798-8908.
Pediatricians in Florida could see relief from low Medicaid payments
A possible resolution of a lawsuit against Florida health and child-welfare officials could mean that physicians will receive what they consider to be adequate compensation.
Some Insurers Refuse To Cover Contraceptives, Despite Health Law Requirement
Most plans must cover all FDA-approved birth control methods, but consumer advocates say it is still common for women to face rejection for some forms.