4 Nurses Attacked at Minnesota Hospitals in Two Weeks—Union Says Enough Is Enough

Image: Essentia Health

Four nurses at Essentia Health facilities in Minnesota were assaulted in less than two weeks, sparking urgent calls for action from the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA). These attacks, happening at both St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd and St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, highlight what MNA leaders say is a dangerous pattern of workplace violence that is preventable. Essentia Health says it is committed to improving safety, but nurses argue stronger measures are needed right now to keep both staff and patients safe.​

Nurses Say Attacks Are Part of a Dangerous Pattern

Last Thursday, a nurse at Essentia Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd was assaulted by a patient, and another nurse was attacked there over the weekend. Less than two weeks before, two more nurses were injured at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth.​

“These assaults are not isolated events. They are the foreseeable outcome of a system that refuses to prioritize safe staffing and adequate support for both caregivers and patients,” said Chris Rubesch, RN, President of MNA and nurse at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center. Rubesch emphasized, “For too long, nurses have raised alarms about unsafe staffing and the growing risk of violence in Essentia hospitals”.​

MNA Demands Immediate Changes

The MNA insists that violence against nurses is preventable, and that delays are putting lives at risk. They are calling on Essentia Health to:​

• Invest in safe staffing ratios
• Implement clear workplace safety protocols
• Engage with frontline nurses to address ongoing threats and concerns.​

“No nurse should ever be assaulted for doing their job,” said Rubesch.

Nurses say they have presented evidence-based proposals at bargaining tables and in management meetings, but they believe Essentia has failed to implement necessary changes before harm occurs.​

Essentia Health Responds

“It’s unfortunate that the Minnesota Nurses Association’s first act is to send a press release rather than reaching out to Essentia to understand what happened and work toward real solutions,” Essentia Health said in a statement.

The organization emphasized that it remains committed to preventive measures at all of its healthcare facilities, actively evaluating and updating safety procedures to protect both staff and patients. However, the MNA argues there must be more than promises—real accountability and immediate action are needed now.

🤔Nurses, what changes do you think are most needed to keep staff and patients safe? Share your thoughts in the discussion forum below!