National Nurses United

Minnesota nurses call on employer to "keep its promise" MINNESOTA ome 120 registered nurses represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association at Essentia Health in Virginia, Minn. conducted an informational picket Oct. 25 in a public display of solidarity to achieve a fair contract that protects patients and delivers the quality nursing care the community expects. "When Essentia leased the hospital, it promised to provide a fair working environment that would retain and attract the quality healthcare workers this community deserves," said Denise Armstrong, RN and S co-chair of the bargaining unit. "When Essentia entered into the affiliation process, Virginia nurses turned out in force to support them. Now it is Essentia's turn to help provide the working environment needed to provide quality healthcare for our community and to attract and retain nurses."  Retention of skilled nurses is important because it positively impacts quality patient care. "This is a big, corporate healthcare entity with a lot of resources," said Armstrong. "They can invest in the skilled people who are at the bedside 24 hours a day."    That investment has proven to pay off. Research conducted by Nursing Solutions, Inc. this year estimates that each percent increase in RN turnover will cost the average hospital an additional $331,800. The Oct. 25 collective action reflects the unity and determination of the nurse group as a whole. "We are all fired up," said Armstrong. "Nurses are sticking together like never before."  Since negotiations began in August, attendance has been overflowing at rallies and other events in support of the MNA negotiating team.  "Nurses want to continue to be there for the needs of our community. We want to keep our promise of quality care," said Armstrong. "We hope hospital management does as well."  The contract between Minnesota Nurses Association nurses and Essentia Health-Virginia expired on July 31 and nurses are currently working under the terms of the expired agreement. —Jan Rabbers Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation Publication title: National Nurse. Publication number: USPS 0807-560, ISSN 2153-0386. Filing date: 10-1-2013. Issue frequency: Monthly except for combined issues in January-February and July-August. Number of issues published annually: 10. Annual subscription price: $40. Complete mailing address of known office of publication: 2000 Franklin St., Oakland, Alameda County, California, 94612-2908. Contact person: Lucia Hwang. Telephone: (510) 273-2200. Complete mailing addresses of headquarters or general business office of publisher: Same as above. Publisher: California Nurses Association/National Nurses United, 2000 Franklin St., Oakland, California, 94612. Editor: Lucia Hwang. Managing editor: None. Owner: California Nurses Association/National Nurses United, 2000 Franklin St., Oakland, California, 94612. Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount: none. Tax status: Has not changed during preceding 12 months. Publication title: National Nurse. Issue date for circulation data below: July-August 2013. Extent and nature of circulation: Registered nurse members of CNA/NNU and subscribers. For the following, the first number represents the average number of copies of each issue during preceding 12 months and the second number represents the number of copies of the single issue published nearest to filing date. Total number of copies (net press run): 140,300; 142,800. Mailed outside-county paid subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541: 135,365; 137,830. Mailed in-county paid subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541: 0; 0. Paid distribution outside the mails including sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors, counter sales, and other paid distribution outside USPS: 0; 0. Paid distribution by other classes of mail through the USPS: 49, 51. Total paid distribution: 135,414; 137,881. Free or nominal rate outside-county copies included on PS Form 3541: 43; 43. Free or nominal rate in-county copies included on PS Form 3541: 0; 0. Free or nominal rate copies mailed at other classes through the USPS: 0; 0. Free or nominal rate distribution outside the mail: 0; 0. Total free or nominal rate distribution: 43; 43. Total distribution: 135,457; 137,924. Copies not distributed: 4,843; 4,927. Total: 140,300; 142,800. Percent paid: 99.97%; 99.97%. Information in this statement will be published in the October 2013 issue of this publication. O C TO B E R 2 01 3 W W W. N AT I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G N AT I O N A L N U R S E 7

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