LANSING - The Michigan Nurses MARCH!, the annual political activism day of the Michigan Nurses Association will take place at the Lansing Center beginning at 9:00 am on Wednesday, March 24. At approximately 11:00 am, over 1,000 nurses and nursing students will march down the sidewalks of Michigan Avenue to the Capitol, holding signs and chanting support for safe patient care. A rally with Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero will be held on the Capitol steps at 11:15 a.m.
Activities planned at the Lansing Center include:
- National author and journalist Suzanne Gordon will speak regarding the research that went into her book Safety in Numbers: Why Nurse to Patient Ratios Matter at 9:15 am
- Dr. Laurence Rosen from Public Policy Associates will speak on what nurse to patient ratios would mean for Michigan hospitals at 10:30 am
- Michigan Department of Community Health Director Janet Olszewski will share information about the status of health care in Michigan at 1:00 pm
The 2010 Michigan Nurses MARCH! will focus on safe patient care, calling for the passage of HB 4008, the Safe Patient Care Act. When passed, this bill will require hospitals to establish minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and eliminate the use of mandated overtime as a staffing solution.
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The Michigan Nurses Association is the largest, most effective union for RNs in Michigan. As the voice of all registered nurses in Michigan, MNA advocates for nurses and their patients at the State Capitol, in the community and at the bargaining table. MNA is a constituent member of National Nurses United and an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.