2020 annual book of reports - assets.nursingald.com

2020ANNUAL BOOK OF REPORTS

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2020 Montana Nurses Association

Table of Contents

MNA Mission Statement 3 MNA Staff & Contacts 5 2020 Board of Directors 7 2020 Councils 9 2020 Committees 10 2020 Leadership 11Chief Executive Officer Report 12 Professional Development Report 14 Labor Department Report 16 Membership Report 17District 1 Report 18 District 2 Report 19 District 3 Report 20 District 4 Report 21 District 5 Report 22 District 6 Report 23 District 7 Report 24 District 8 Report 25 Notes 27

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Published for the Montana Nurses Association by:Arthur L. Davis Publishing AgencyP.O. Box 216, Cedar Falls, IA 50613

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Montana Nurses AssociationMission Statement

The Montana Nurses Association promotes professional nursing practice, standards and education; represents professional nurses; and provides

nursing leadership in promoting high quality health care.

Excellence is our Standard!!

“Voice of Nurses in Montana”

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www.mtnurses.orgVisit our website for updates,

news & events!

Montana Nurses Association Staff & Contacts

Phone: 406-442-6710Fax: 406-442-1841www.mtnurses.org

“LIKE” us on Facebook! “FOLLOW” us on Twitter!

Chief Executive Officer Vicky Byrd MSN, RN 406-442-6710 [email protected]

Director, Professional Development

Pam Dickerson PhD, RN, NPD-BC, FAAN

406-465-9126 [email protected]

Director, Professional Development

Kristi AndersonMN, RN, NPD-BC, CNL

406-459-0043 [email protected]

Director, Labor Program Robin Haux BS 406-431-5934 [email protected]

Professional Development Associate

Caroline Baughman BS 406-442-6710 [email protected]

Labor Representative Amy Hauschild BSN, RN 406-431-0508 [email protected]

Labor RepresentativeLauri Hunton

RN, CCBE406-465-4249 [email protected]

Labor Representative Leslie Shepherd BSN, RN 406-431-2943 [email protected]

Chief Financial Officer Jill Hindoien BS 406-442-6710 [email protected]

Administrative and Marketing Specialist

Jennifer Hamilton 406-442-6710 [email protected]

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2020 Board of Directors

President Vice-President Lorri Bennett RN Terry Dutro MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC Deer Lodge Bozeman

Secretary Treasurer Chelsee Baker MSN, RN Audrey Dee, RN Anaconda Anaconda

Member at Large Anna Svendsen-Ammons, BSN, RN, PCCN Columbus

Council on Council on Professional Development Practice & Government Affairs Representative to the Board Representative to the Board Cheryl Richards, MS, BSN, RN-BC VACANT Whitefish

Council on Council on Economic & General Welfare Advanced Practice (CAP) Representative to the Board Representative to the Board Brandi Breth, BSN, RN-BC Lori Chovanak, DNP, RN, APRN-BC Missoula Big Sky

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2020 Councils

Council on Professional Development Email ~ [email protected]

Cheryl Richards, MS, BSN, RN-BC Representative to Board ~ Whitefish

Megan Hamilton MSN, RN, CFRN NR-P ... MissoulaKim Reynen, BSN, RN ...............................KalispellJanet Smith, MN, MSHS, RN .................... BozemanGwyn Palchak, BSN, RN-BC, ACM ............KalispellDebby Lee, BSN, RN-BC, CCRP ................. Denton

Sandy Sacry, MSN, RN ................................HelenaEmily Michalski, MSN, RN-BC ..................... ClancyBrenda Donaldson, BA, RN, CAPA .......... BozemanAbbie Colussi, RN .......................................HelenaJoe Poole, BSN, RN, CHSE ...................... Bozeman

Council on Practice & Government AffairsEmail ~ [email protected]

RN Representative to Board ~ VACANTGwyn Palchak, BSN, RN-BC, ACM ……Kalispell

Loni Conley, BSN, RN……HamiltonSally (Lisa) Sluder, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC ……Missoula

Lisa Ash, RN, CNOR……Lewistown

Council on Economic & General Welfare Email ~ [email protected]

Brandi Breth, BSN, RN-BC Representative to Board ~ MissoulaAdrianne Harrison, RN ~ Butte

Lorie Van Donsel, BSN, RN ~ ForsythDelayne Stahl, RN, OCN ~ Billings

Charlie Julia Buffo, RN ~ Charlo

Council on Advanced Practice Email ~ [email protected]

Lori Chovanak, DNP, RN, APRN-BC ~ Representative to Board ~ Big SkyCouncil on Advanced Practice Chairperson ~ Kevin Comer, MN, FNP-BC~ Bozeman

Secretary ~ Nanci Taylor, APRN ~ AnacondaMember at Large ~ Emily Michalski, MSN, RN-BC ~ Clancy

Member at Large ~ Terry Dutro, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC ~ Bozeman

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2020 Committees

By-Laws CommitteeBrenda Donaldson BA, RN, CAPA……Bozeman

Editorial BoardVacant

Elections CommitteeLorie Van Donsel BSN, RN, PCCN………Forsyth

Lauri Hunton RN………Missoula Karen Schledewitz RN………Sidney

Finance CommitteeVacant

History CommitteeVacant

Nominations CommitteeKatrina Brandenburg BSN, RN, CNRN ……Billings

Rich Smith RN-PCCN……Billings

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2020 Leadership

District Leadership• District 1 ~ Geri Unbehend ............................................................................................Missoula• District 2 ~ Lorri Bennett ............................................................................................Deer Lodge• District 3 ~ Keven Comer .............................................................................................. Bozeman• District 4 ~ Jennifer Taylor ................................................................................................ Helena• District 5 ~ Lorie Van Donsel ........................................................................................... Forsyth• District 6 ~ Arlys Williams ................................................................................................Denton• District 7 ~ Gwyn Palchak ..............................................................................................Kalispell• District 8 ~ VACANT .....................................................................................................Glendive

Local Unit LeadershipDistrict 1-Local Unit 15 ~ Community Medical Center ...................................................Geri UnbehendDistrict 1-Local Unit 17 ~ St. Patrick Hospital .................................................................... Mary CarrollDistrict 1-Local Unit 18 ~ Anticoagulation Clinic, St. Patrick Hospital ............................ Christina NoyesDistrict 1-Local Unit 32 ~ Partners In Home Care ..........................................................Aspen AldridgeDistrict 1-Local Unit 33 ~ Fresenius Medical Center .............................................................Sarah BlackDistrict 1-Local Unit 35 ~ Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital ............................................. Sandra CappelDistrict 2-Local Unit 01 ~ Community Hospital of Anaconda .............................................Lorri BennettDistrict 2-Local Unit 03 ~ Rocky Mountain Clinic ............................................................. Kayla HarveyDistrict 2-Local Unit 05 ~ St. James Healthcare .................................................................. Robin FoleyDistrict 2-Local Unit 07 ~ Montana State Hospital ..............................................................Nora SchilloDistrict 2-Local Unit 36 ~ Montana Chemical Dependency Center ..............................Nancy MaddockDistrict 2-Local Unit 37 ~ Butte/Silver Bow City-County ...........................................Karen MaloughneyDistrict 3-Local Unit 04 ~ Bozeman Health ........................................................................ Matt LarsonDistrict 3-Local Unit 06 ~ Fresenius Medical Center ..................................................... Ruth GrindingerDistrict 4-Local Unit 08 ~ Department of Public Health & Human Services ...................... Susan ReeserDistrict 4-Local Unit 13 ~ St. Peter’s Community Hospital .................................................. Rick DePasoDistrict 5-Local Unit 02 ~ Billings Clinic .......................................................................... Delayne StahlDistrict 5-Local Unit 38 ~ Rosebud Healthcare ................................................................. Marla MalleyDistrict 5-Local Unit 44 ~ Holy Rosary Hospital ............................... Penny Haughian/Lorie Van DonselDistrict 6-Local Unit 11 ~ Cascade City-County ........................................................... Davida HryszkoDistrict 6-Local Unit 12 ~ Northern Montana Hospital ............................................. Shelbee FritchmanDistrict 6-Local Unit 14 ~ MT Mental Health Nursing Care Center .............................. Adrienne CastilloDistrict 6-Local Unit 25 ~ Northern Rockies Medical .......................................................... Tanya LuchiDistrict 7-Local Unit 22 ~ Cabinet Peaks Medical Center .................................................Dave EdwardsDistrict 7-Local Unit 27 ~ Veteran’s Home ...........................................................................Ruth OskeyDistrict 7-Local Unit 34 ~ Clark Fork Valley Hospital .......................................................Jennifer HafnerDistrict 8-Local Unit 21 ~ Glendive Medical Center ................................................................ VACANTDistrict 8-Local Unit 39 ~ Sidney Health Center ....................................... Linda Reis/Karen Schledewitz

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2020 Highlights from the Chief Executive Officer

Vicky Byrd, MSN, RN, Chief Executive Officer

Montana Nurses Association (MNA) is the recognized leader and advocate for the professional nurse in Montana and comprised of registered nurses including advanced practice registered nurses. MNA is a non-profit, member driven organization that has been in existence for over 112 years. MNA is the preeminent voice of the professional nurse in Montana at the local, state, and national level. MNA represents and advocates for nurses in relation to nurse competency, scope of practice, patient safety, workplace violence, professional development/continuing education, safe staffing, and improved healthcare

delivery and access, just to name a few.

The MNA staff fiercely advocates for quality continuing education and nurses’ right to collectively bargain, moreover, they are dedicated, loyal, and genuinely passionate regarding your profession and your professional nurse association. MNA remains the sought-after voice for the professional nurse in Montana!

Be an Active Voice in your State Professional Nurse Association through MembershipMNA staff and nurse member leaders advocate and represent nurses through the professional association with governing councils and committees. All registered and advance practice registered nurses can (and should) belong to MNA, as it is first and foremost the professional association for all Montana nurses, moreover, MNA also enjoys additional recognition of advocacy through collective bargaining (if applicable to your situation). It is a professional commitment to our nursing profession as policy, practice, and work environments are ever changing.

Legislation and other advocacy situations are currently supported by those registered nurse members paying membership dues, committing to their state professional association. One example is MNA’s ongoing “Your Nurse Wears Combat Boots” campaign. MNA continues to educate our legislators, our members, our employers, and our patients on the importance of workplace violence prevention for nurses and healthcare workers as we continue to push for protective legislation and standards. For these legislative, policy, and advocacy situations to happen, it is ok to pay dues and allow others to advocate for you.

Your MNA membership which includes an ANA (American Nurses Association) membership for all members, an AFT-NHP (American Federation of Teachers-Nurses and Health Professionals) membership for those nurse members joining through collective bargaining, and an AANP (American Association of Nurse Practitioners) membership for our APRN members. Membership allows MNA to grow infrastructure and resources to invest in appropriate personnel (professional development, labor, lobbyists, legal, and health policy) for all professional nurses in Montana. MNA additionally invests resources back into the nurse members, financing their attendance to local, state, and national conferences and providing member support.

MNA Succession PlanningSuccession planning is also playing a role at MNA. Our current Director of Professional Development, Pam Dickerson, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, FAAN, will be retiring around the end of this year, therefore we hired her replacement, Kristi Anderson, MN, RN, NPD-BC, CNL, in July to ensure adequate orientation and a seamless transition. Our part-time RN Professional Development staff will be transitioned into a full time

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Nurse Planner position slated to begin January 2021. Finally, our labor department filled their full-time labor representative position with Lauri Hunton, RN, who comes to us as a prior acute care staff nurse of 27 years.

Covid-19Covid-19 pandemic has brought a new reality to MNA. Our educational offerings and meetings transitioned quickly to online via Zoom, GoToMeeting, and other digital platforms, keeping our staff and members as safe as possible. We have learned a lot from this transition, and we will be rethinking our advocacy and representation processes to work smarter and not harder. Additionally, we have been advocating for our local, state, and national leaders to embrace science and data while making decisions surrounding that evidence. MNA advocates for proper PPE (personal protective equipment) for all nurses and healthcare workers and adequate safety and public health measures to protect all citizens. Thank you to the many nurse members from around the state that recorded quick videos asking that everyone mask up. MNA continues to share those posts through Facebook. Finally, MNA has been in constant contact with DPHHS (Department of Health and Human Services) and the Governor’s office sharing our concerns and recommendations surrounding this pandemic.

Relevance of Belonging to your State Professional Nurse AssociationQuoting one of our most beloved nurse’s, the late Mary Munger, RN: It is one thing to have been educated and licensed as an R.N., another to be employed as an R.N., but the mark of a real professional is a love for and interest in, what is happening to that profession, and a commitment to help it. Without taking this third step, without identification as a member of the professional nursing organization, many nurses are merely draining the good from the profession without adding their share to keep it strong and dynamic. (Munger, M. (n.d.). Membership: A professional commitment. Letter.)

MNA is committed to the nurses and nursing profession in Montana and will always need the nurses’ commitment to keep it strong and dynamic, furthermore, to make decisions that will safeguard the future of the nursing profession. Activism is not for everyone but as nursing professionals, we must invest in our professional organization to ensure the infrastructure remains intact to carry our voices in all things that touch patients and nurses.

Consider a Tax-Deductible Donation to:Montana Nurses Association Foundation-(MNAF)

• Donations to the MNAF foundation are 100% tax deductible.• MNAF mission statement: “The Montana Nurses Association Foundation (MNAF) is the charitable and

philanthropic branch of the Montana Nurses Association (MNA), with a mission to preserve the history of nursing in Montana and contribute, support and empower the professional nurse in Montana.”

• The purposes for which the Corporation is organized are as follows: “(a) charitable; (b) educational; (c) to accept healthcare/nursing research and educational grants; (d) to provide continuing educational grants to licensed registered nurses; and (e) to award scholarships to qualifying persons.

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Council on Professional Development 2020

Annual Report

Pamela S. Dickerson, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, FAAN Director of Professional

Development & Megan Hamilton, MSN, RN, CFRN, NR-P Chair, Council on

Professional Development

The overarching goals of the Council on Professional Development are congruent with the mission of MNA – to promote professional nursing practice, standards, and education and to provide nursing leadership in promoting high-quality health care. Specifically, these goals are:1. Provide quality continuing nursing education that supports the mission of MNA, following guidelines as

an accredited provider by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.2. Approve educational activities and provider units that support nursing professional development and

improvement in patient care and/or nursing practice, following guidelines as an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

As required by accreditation criteria, there are outcome measures associated with both provider and approver unit operations. Increasingly, there is emphasis on validating the importance of continuing nursing education in improving the professional practice of nursing. Evidence of the excellence of our work in this area includes designation of Accreditation with Distinction of our accredited provider and approver units.

Council on Professional Development:The Council typically meets twice a year for face-to-face meetings in addition to conference calls for new member orientation and other issues as required. A virtual meeting was held in 2020. Some members of the council focus on provider unit operations and activities; other members serve as peer reviewers for the approver unit. Peer reviewers undergo initial education and testing, as well as periodic validation of competence to ensure their ability to assess applications congruently with peer reviewers across the United States and appraisers in the ANCC Nursing Continuing Professional Development Accreditation Program. Some of our peer reviewers are not members of the Council but have extensive experience as nurse planners in their own organizations.

Approver Unit:The MNA Accredited Approver Unit accepts applications from both individual activity applicants and organizations wishing to be approved, or to continue their approval, as providers. Individual activities are approved for up to two years once all accreditation program criteria have been met. Provider units are approved for up to three years, with authority to design, implement, and evaluate their own activities under the leadership, direction, and accountability of a Primary Nurse Planner during that period of time. The Approver Unit monitors quality and outcomes from both individual activity and approved provider data in accordance with accreditation program criteria. Our approver unit is recognized as a leader by

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ANCC’s Nursing Continuing Professional Development Accreditation Program, resulting in receipt of referrals for applicants from around the country and around the world. The approver unit operates under the leadership of the Nurse Peer Review Leader, who also serves as the MNA Director of Professional Development. We currently have 35 approved providers and approve approximately 150 individual activities per year.

Provider Unit:The MNA Accredited Provider Unit is accountable for planning, implementing, and evaluating all continuing nursing education offered by MNA. This includes annual events such as the Transition from New Graduate to Professional Nurse workshop, the APRN Pharmacology Conference, Nurse Advocacy Retreat, CE Provider Update workshops, Convention, and the interprofessional Seamless Health Care for Our Veterans conference. Additionally, the provider unit offers a number of in-person and web-based educational activities. While the main target audience of provider unit activities is MNA members, educational activities are open to all nurses interested in our events. The www.cnebymna.com web site is populated with independent study opportunities in the areas of professional development, clinical practice development, and continuing education provider education. The provider unit operates under the leadership of the Lead Nurse Planner, who also serves as the MNA Director of Professional Development.

Continuing education continues to be a major benefit to membership and provides numerous opportunities for nurses to enhance their professional development as learners, faculty, authors, peer reviewers, and activity planners. Additionally, as part of MNA’s commitment to improve the professional development of our members and volunteers, we support the participation of members of our Council on Professional Development in national professional development events. This is the second year of our focus on supporting the professional development of nurses through certification. MNA has contracted with ANCC to use the Success Pays® program, offering an incentive to MNA members to take the certification examination at no cost – the fee is paid only if/when the nurse passes the examination. Our agreement with ANCC requires that a minimum of 20 RNs successfully apply for certification within the 12-month contract – we surpassed that requirement in the first 6 months of the program! We received an award from the ANCC SuccessPays® program in 2020 for our “conversion rate” – the number of applicants who actually achieved certification.

Evidence clearly supports the value and importance of nursing professional development to sustain lifelong learning and contribute to the nurse’s ability to be successful and effective as a clinician, educator, researcher, or administrator. We are proud to support professional development through our nationally recognized accredited provider and approver units.

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2020 Labor Department Annual ReportRobin Haux, BS, Labor Program Director

I am excited to share all the work your MNA Labor Department has been doing. With member engagement, organizing (both internal and external), and labor education continuing to be priorities for our department, our goal is to improve the nurse collective voice across Montana as it is the most powerful voice! We are excited to welcome Lauri Hunton, RN as our newest Labor Department team member! Lauri started in July and became interested in

working for MNA as she was a part of her nurse bargaining team at Community Medical Center. All three of our labor representatives are RNs!

Our MNA Labor Representatives, Amy Hauschild, BSN-RN and Leslie Shepherd, BSN-RN continue to represent and assist all our local bargaining units. COVID-19 has drastically changed how our staff is working with our locals and we have definitely embraced this new virtual world. A positive side-effect has been how available our staff can be, and this will be an approach we will continue to use far beyond COVID-19.

An important component to embracing our virtual world will be our investment into technology, educating our nurses, and encouraging participation. Our nurses have the ability to participate from wherever they may be, and this has been an exciting engagement tool.

As a collective bargaining unit nurse your engagement is of utmost importance for success at the bargaining table. Participate in meetings and surveys, support your bargaining teams, and stay engaged! This action can be as little as providing food for your bargaining team to helping distribute support stickers or badges, or whatever you decide to make it! Every little bit helps build your voice! Advocacy through bargaining and collective action can, and does, make impacts at the bargaining table. As we continue to strengthen our contracts, we continue to improve the workplace for our nurses.

We encourage each of our nurses to reach out to just ONE new nurse and share with them why they value their own professional nurses’ union. Engaging our younger/newer nurses will be key to maintaining the nursing collective voice and improving the workplace. Over the next year, we will be providing new education for officers, grievance and resolution training, and new member orientation. We look forward to seeing all of you either by web camera or in person!

Remember to follow us on Twitter at @MTnurses and like us Facebook and thank you for all the work each of you do every day advocating for patients across Montana!

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2020 Membership ReportJill Hindoien, BS Chief Financial Officer

The Montana Nurses Association (MNA) has taken a leadership role in shaping the future of nursing in Montana and all RN’s are taking notice. The Montana Nurses Association membership numbers remain strong with 2375 collective bargaining members, 200 non-collective bargaining members, and 40 retired members. MNA also has a shared membership category with MFPE. RN’s who are members of the Montana Federation of Public Employees also receive a membership to MNA. Currently MNA has 150 shared members. Through MNA, all RN’s have a collective voice impacting

the future of their profession and patients.

MNA is listening and making changes as requested by our members. MNA now provides an AANP (American Association of Nurse Practitioners) membership to all APRN members. If you are an APRN with an MNA membership, please let us know. We will sign you up for an AANP membership at no additional charge.

With the Supreme Court’s Janus decision, the MNA public sector RNs have remained loyal and supportive of their professional association and have shown great respect and support for the collective bargaining process. MNA represents seven public sector facilities with over 85 collective bargaining members. These public sector nurse members value their collective voice and are sticking with their professional association through their union.

MNA is continually working to improve our membership database to provide accurate and up-to-date information. If you have any changes to name, mailing address, personal e-mail address, phone number, or employment status, please contact MNA at 1-406-442-6710 or e-mail [email protected].

Thank you for your membership in your professional nurses association.

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District 1 ReportGeri Unbehend, RN President

District 1: Mineral County, Missoula County and Ravalli County

District 1 Local Units: Local #15-Community Medical CenterLocal #17-Providence St Patrick HospitalLocal #18-Providence St. Patrick Coagulation ClinicLocal #32-Partners in Home CareLocal #33-Fresenius Kidney Care-MissoulaLocal #35-Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital

District 1 nurses have worked very hard this last year securing contracts and raises for their members.There is a great deal of work still to be done starting in September a district meeting will be held to see what types of issues we need to address moving forward.

We are still committed to furnishing a scholarship for BSN students and would like to assist in making nursing a chosen profession.

We thank all nurses who work countless hours to keep patients safe in these challenging times.One big issue we will address with all hospitals and local units is safe PPE for all frontline workers.

District 1 Officers include: President: Geri UnbehendTreasurer: Maureen Forsting

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District 2 ReportLorri Bennett, RN President

District 2: Beaverhead County, Deer Lodge County, Granite County, Powell County and Silver Bow County

District 2 Local Units: Local #1-Community Hospital of AnacondaLocal #3-Rocky Mountain ClinicLocal #5-St. James HealthcareLocal #7-Montana State HospitalLocal #36-Montana Chemical Dependency CenterLocal #37-Butte Silver Bow Health Department

It has been a quiet year for District 2 besides some of the Locals negotiating Contracts, which were successful. We were unable to have Nurses Week due to Covid 19. We are looking forward to our virtual House of Delegates for 2020. Many new challenges these past six months but it seems we are persevering with new ways to deliver our patient care.

District 2 Officers include: President: Lorri Bennett RNVice President: Corinne Pederson RNSecretary/Treasurer: Chelsee Baker RN

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District 3 ReportKeven Comer, APRN President

District 3: Gallatin County, Madison County, Park County and Sweet Grass County

District 3 Local Units: Local #4-Bozeman HealthLocal #6-Fresenius Kidney Care-Bozeman

Greetings from District 3 - My what a difference a year makes. As we all gather for our first virtual House of Delegates, I am excited to bring in a new

and innovative way for us to connect and be one. The COVID-19 pandemic has and continues to be a formidable adversary, but nurses always find a way to survive and thrive. That is because through it all, we put patients first. After more than 25 years as District #3 president I am passing the baton to Mo McGrath. She will continue to represent district 3 nurses. Nurses throughout District #3 have been instrumental in the care and implementation of care models for COVID patients, in the community, schools, universities, hospital, clinics, long term care facilities and home settings. It is always with pride to say, “I AM A NURSE.” Thanks for all you do. Respectfully submitted.

Officers include: President: Maureen “Mo” McGrath RNVice President: Pat O’Brien-Townsend RNSecretary: Pat Armstrong RNTreasurer: Janet Smith RN

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District 4 ReportJennifer Taylor BSN, RN, CCRN President

District 4: Broadwater County, Jefferson County, Lewis & Clark County and Meagher CountyDistrict 4 Local Units Local #8-Montana DPHHSLocal #13-St Peters Health

2020 has been an interesting year so far. We have been learning new ways to communicate and stay safe. Technology has been a huge help during these trying times.

District 4 has elected 14 Delegates to participate in the Virtual House of Delegates in October. This meeting will be held via zoom and cover essential business items and elections to move the association forward while remaining compliant and dedicated to our elective process.

A huge thank you to all the nurses working on the frontlines during this global pandemic. Stay safe and healthy!

District 4 Officers include: President: Jen Taylor BSN, RN, CCRN

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District 5 ReportLorie Van Donsel, BSN, RN President

District 5: Big Horn County, Carbon County, Carter County, Custer County, Fallon County, Golden Valley County, Musselshell County, Powder River County, Rosebud County, Stillwater County, Treasure County, Wheatland County and Yellowstone County

District 5 Local Units Local #2-Billings ClinicLocal #38-Rosebud Health Care CenterLocal #44-Holy Rosary Healthcare

Hello from District 5 and Southeastern Montana. Our District has 14 delegates elected to the virtual MNA House of Delegates in October.

Local units in District 5 are represented by MNA labor representative Amy Hauschild. Many Locals in our District have bargained new contracts with wage increases and contract language improvement in these crazy times of the COVID 19 pandemic.

Nurses in District 5 continue to be COVID warriors through high and low censuses and changes to workflow with the pandemic. We remain focused on patient and nurse safety and look forward to being able to meet in person at Chico and Convention once again.

We continue to work to grow our membership with all nurses and through our collective bargaining units.

District 5 Officers include: President: Lorie Van DonselTreasurer: Kim Flotkoetter

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District 6 ReportArlys Williams MS, RN, APRN, PPCNP-BC President

District 6: Blaine County, Cascade County, Chouteau County, Fergus County, Glacier County, Hill County, Judith Basin County, Liberty County, Pondera County, Teton County and Toole County District 6 Local Units

Local #11-Cascade City-County Health DepartmentLocal #12 Northern Montana Health CareLocal #14 Montana Mental Health Nursing Care CenterLocal #25 Northern Rockies Medical Center

MNA District 6 sends greetings to everyone. What an interesting year 2020 has been so far…..and we still have at least 4 months to go!

District 6 was able to have an in-person meeting March 7th in Lewistown after bad weather and roads had caused a rescheduling of the first date. The discussion at this meeting included what District 6 positions were open for upcoming elections, what was needed for District 6 to be the host district for the 2020 convention, dates and times for upcoming meetings in Montana, the demographics of the District 6 membership and interesting information about Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome and the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations for HPV and pneumococcal vaccination in adults. Of course, Covid-19 was also discussed but things were pretty quiet in Montana at that point in time.

The District 6 meeting June 13 was a “combination” meeting. Three members were together in Havre, two members were together in Lewistown, and one was in Great Falls as we connected via phone conference. The nominations that had been received for the District 6 positions were reviewed. Voting was still open through June 15th until 11:59 pm.

The MNA 2020 Convention will now be in a virtual format, so District 6 host ideas are now on hold. Covid-19 was again discussed in greater detail. Tentative plans were made for a face-to-face meeting 9/5/2020 in Havre to share election results and plan for District 6’s participation in the virtual 2020 convention. The number of active Covid-19 cases in the county will determine if a face-to-face meeting will be possible. We hope everyone stays safe and healthy during these crazy times.

District 6 Officers include: President: Arlys Williams MS, RN, APRN, PPCNP-BCVice President: Jerry Carpenter RNSecretary: Ellen Osborne BSN, RN, CENTreasurer: Sue Swan BS, RN

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District 7 ReportGwyn S Palchak, BSN, RN-BC, ACM President

District 7: Flathead County, Lake County, Lincoln County and Sanders CountyDistrict 7 Local Units

Local #22-Cabinet Peaks Medical CenterLocal #27-Montana Veterans HomeLocal #34-Clark Fork Valley Hospital

Hello colleagues. District 7 has been quiet this past year. We did a complement of delegates to the 2019 House of Delegates, which was very nice, and we

have a full complement for the upcoming virtual HOD. All of our contracts are secure at the present. Unfortunately, Kalispell Regional Medical Center was unionized by someone other than MNA and that work is ongoing for their contract.

As District President, on behalf of all of us in the District, I want to send my gratitude and thanks to all of our colleagues working the front line during this crisis time. Please continue to be safe in your work and life.

District 7 Officers include: President/Treasurer: Gwyn Palchak BSN, RN-BC, ACM

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District 8 ReportVACANT President

District 8: Daniels County, Dawson County, Garfield County, McCone County, Petroleum County, Phillips County, Prairie County, Richland County, Roosevelt County, Sheridan County, Valley County, and

Wibaux County

District 8 Local Units Local #21-Glendive Medical Center

Local #39-Sidney Health Center

District 8 has elected 4 Delegates to participate in the Virtual House of Delegates in October. This meeting will be held via zoom and cover essential business items and elections to move the association forward while remaining compliant and dedicated to our elective process.

A huge thank you to all the nurses working on the frontlines during this global pandemic. Stay safe and healthy!

District 8 Officers include: President: VACANT

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http://www.montana.edu/nursing/engagement/index.html

mailto:nursing%40montana.edu?subject=

2020 annual book of reports - assets.nursingald.com

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