National Nurses United

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 AY | J U N E 2 0 1 7 TEXAS R egistered nurses working at the Sierra and Memorial campuses of The Hospitals of Providence voted in April by an overwhelming majority to ratify a new three-year contract with their employer, Tenet Healthcare. "This contract is the result of our nurses standing together and speaking up for safe patient care," said Memorial campus RN Sandy Wakefield. "Having voted to ratify it, we are in a stronger position to keep advocating for the patients in our community, and to keep experienced nurses at the bedside. I'm so proud of the work RNs did to achieve this big win." The new agreement covers about 700 nurses at the two hospitals and will run through Nov. 30, 2019. The contract, said nurses, extends safe patient care standards, improves pay equity to retain the most expe- rienced nurses, and supports a strong union to best advocate for patients. Contract highlights include: Health and safety protections for RNs, to ensure safe patient care; economic gains for improved recruitment and retention of nurses, includ- ing guaranteed pay increases averaging 9 percent over the life of the contract for full-time and part-time RNs, as well as pay equity for nurses; expansion of a Profession- al Practice Committee (PPC) featuring nurse representatives from every unit in the hospital who meet to track patient care issues; and protection of health benefits, preventing increased copays or deductibles. "This contract victory shows what happens when nurses stand together to advocate with our collective voice. We can achieve great things for our patients," said Sylvia Searfoss, RN, who works at the Sierra campus. —Staff report MINNESOTA T he next generation of Minneso- ta nurse activists learned, got inspired, and put that learning into action at MNA's 2017 Day on the Hill. More than 500 student nurses from schools throughout Minnesota learned the importance of advocating for patients at the bedside and in the public arena at the April 4 event in St. Paul. "It's so important for nurses to get involved in governmental issues and policy making because everything a nurse does is affected by those policies," MNA Executive Director Rose Roach said in opening remarks. "Trust me, you will see the effects of bad public policy every day in your workplace. The people we elect write the laws and rules we operate under—from the Nurse Practice Act to HIPAA to access to healthcare to public health issues." Students heard from MNA nurses who gave real-life examples of advocating for patients at the Capitol and in the community. "You need to get your voices out there for patients and the profession," Essentia Health Duluth RN and MNA member Emily Kniskern told more than 600 students and faculty, adding that legislators often are not familiar with nurse issues. "They need nurses' and patients' perspec- tive," she said, so they can make decisions that ensure nurses can safely care for their patients. A panel of former legislators provided the insiders' perspective and gave advice on lobbying at the Capitol, including the importance of nurses telling their stories. Busloads of student nurses then traveled to the Minnesota Capitol to speak to their elected officials about critical issues. Student nurses said afterward they found the day a rewarding experience and were excited to go out and advocate for patients and the nursing profession! —Barbara Brady Tenet RNs in Texas win strong new contract NEWS BRIEFS Field Trip Minnesota's student nurses learn legislative advocacy for patients is key

• Cover