A delegation of Willmar, Minn.-based Rice Memorial Hospital nurses voiced their concern about the hospital's potential affiliation with two Minnesota providers, according to the West Central Tribune.
During a hospital board meeting Wednesday, Rice Memorial nurses urged representatives to seek out the nursing staff's expertise and opinion during negotiations. They also requested representatives maintain their expressed commitment to the Minnesota Nurses Association, which represents roughly 200 registered nurses employed at Rice Memorial, according to the report.
The delegation also asked hospital leaders to address pressing questions they had about the partnership's effect on nurses' contracts and health benefits.
Members of the delegation told hospital leaders after the meeting they plan to remain visible as negotiations between the three healthcare organizations continue, according to the report.
The hospital, along with Willmar-based Affiliated Community Medical Centers Health, declared plans to enter into partnership with St. Cloud, Minn.-based CentraCare Health last month.