Minnesota nurses celebrate addition of hundreds of new members

By Lauren Bloomquist 

National Nurse magazine - Jan | Feb | March 2025 Issue

In January, Minnesota Nurses Association celebrated the addition of hundreds of new members who voted overwhelmingly to unionize. 

In mid-January, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in Center City, Minn. unionized in response to growing frustrations, particularly after management removed benefits for employees working under a .75 full-time equivalent (FTE). 

“This is a proud moment for Hazelden nurses,” said Meaghan Albrecht, an RN at Hazelden. “The union protects our rights as nurses and promotes fairness, inclusivity, and transparency in the workplace.” 

“Having a union represent us gives back our voice, benefits, and ultimately safety for us and our patients,” added Crystal Olson, an RN at Hazelden. 

By standing together, Hazelden nurses are paving the way for a workplace that values the contributions of all caregivers while ensuring the resources needed to provide the highest quality care for their patients. 

“Having MNA representing us gives us a seat at the table so we can make decisions about our wages, benefits, and safe working conditions,” said Jody Burton, an LPN at Hazelden. 

A few days later, nearly 600 nurses at Maple Grove Hospital in Maple Grove, Minn. also voted to join MNA. These nurses sought union representation to ensure top-quality care for their patients and fair working conditions for one another. For years, they have delivered exceptional care despite facing significant obstacles, including overwhelming workloads and limited resources. 

Attempts to work collaboratively with hospital leadership repeatedly failed to address serious concerns, leading nurses to take the necessary step to have a voice in the changes needed to support both the patients they serve and their profession.

“This is a monumental moment for all of us,” said Emily Campbell, an RN at Maple Grove Hospital. “By joining MNA, we’ve shown our commitment to standing together for the betterment of our workplace and the patients we serve. This decision is about having a seat at the table to make our voices heard and ensure our concerns are addressed.”

The Maple Grove nurses now join their nurse colleagues at their sister facility North Memorial Health-Robbinsdale Hospital in achieving union representation. Finally, they are truly “One North.” 

Following their successful election, Maple Grove nurses look forward to addressing longstanding concerns through the negotiations process.

“Our patients deserve the best care we can provide, and being part of a union empowers us to secure the tools and resources we need to deliver that care,” said LeAnn Adrian, an RN at Maple Grove. “This isn’t just about us as nurses — it’s about improving care for the entire community.”

These early 2025 wins come after a whirlwind year of organizing in 2024. The nurses at Hazelden and Maple Grove Hospital join other newly organized union members including those at Essentia Solvay House, Essentia Miller Hill Surgery Center, Essentia First Street Clinic, Essentia Second Street Clinic, Essentia Third Street Clinic, Essentia Superior Clinic, Essentia Patient Flow, Essentia East Market Advanced Practice Providers, Allina Cancer Institute, New Ulm CRNAs, United Cath Lab, and Aspirus St. Luke’s Patient Flow. —Lauren Bloomquist