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4 N A T I O N A L N U R S E W W W . N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G M A R C H | A P R I L 2 0 1 7 MINNESOTA U nder the theme "Protect your patients, protect your profession," registered nurses from all parts of Minnesota rallied, lobbied, learned, met with the governor and attorney general, and got inspired at the Minnesota Nurses Association's 2017 Day on the Hill Feb. 13 and 14. MNA Executive Director Rose Roach told nurses during the opening event that a growing number of nurses attended the Day on the Hill and are talking to their legisla- tors. "We are part of a national tide of people rising up and speaking out against injustice and corporate greed," she said. "You're here because you care about your patients," MNA President Mary Turner, RN told nurses at the evening welcome. "You know advocacy goes beyond the bedside. We are nurses—we fight for what's right anywhere and everywhere." Nurses first had a special meeting with Gov. Mark Dayton, who repeated his support for nurses and issues like single- payer healthcare. Attorney General Lori Swanson talked to a packed room of MNA nurses at a reception in her office, inspiring them to continue advocating for critical issues. To chants of "Everybody in, nobody out," nurses and other advocacy groups rallied for humane healthcare in the Capitol Rotunda on Feb. 14. "We are here to say that healthcare is a human need and therefore a basic human right," Roach told the enthusiastic crowd. "Nurses believe that healthcare must be delivered with the patient's safety and health in mind first. We envision a system in which medical decisions are made by providers and patients according to medical necessity." Representatives of allied organizations and business owners shared heart-rending stories about their experiences with the current healthcare system and why they are calling for increased access to Minneso- taCare. The crowd wrapped up the rally by writ- ing Valentines thanking Gov. Dayton for putting his heart into improving healthcare for Minnesotans and then delivered them to his office. —Barbara Brady RNs lobby for 'everybody in, nobody out' State elected officials heard from nurses during Day on the Hill NEWS BRIEFS