FAQs and General Information on the Twin Cities MN RN Work Stoppage

Location: Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, and surrounding areas

Dates and Time Frame: Open-ended at this time. We do NOT know the length of this work stoppage. At this time we are anticipating it to happen in October or November 2022.

Pay Details: $7,980 – $10,640 week, depending on specialty.

How do I apply? You can apply through our website by following the Potential MN Twin Cities Nurse Work Stoppage “Apply” link. This application is different than our normal travel nurse process, so if you are already in our system, you may need to fill out the work stoppage application as well.

What are the requirements for this potential nurse work stoppage? The requirements for the potential nurse work stoppage will vary by specialty, but the minimum requirements are at least one solid year of experience in your RN specialty within the last three years. Work stoppage experience is preferred.

I just applied! Now what? If you completed the application online, you should have received a message stating your application was submitted and a recruiter will be with you as soon as possible.

When will we know when the work stoppage will happen? The first official notice any participant can expect to receive is a 10-day notice, which means the union has given the hospital ten days of notice prior to the potential work stoppage. MSSI will relay this information (including other available timeline details) to interested and accepted nurses and from there will make formal offers for placement, pending confirmation of availability.

Do I need an MN RN license? You do not need an active MN license to apply, but you will need an active MN license to work the work stoppage. If you do not have a current MN license, do NOT apply for a license until given instruction. MSSI will reimburse for the MN RN license only if you are approved for a position and are available at the time of the work stoppage. You will need to submit receipt of payment to your Compliance Specialist. RNs need to have an active MN RN license at the time the work stoppage starts. THE DATE YOU APPLY FOR OUR MN RN LICENSE MUST BE AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR THE WORK STOPPAGE.

Can I take a 2–4-week assignment? MSSI understands the difficulty that comes with maintaining availability for individuals seeking to work on a work stoppage. Unfortunately, due to so many variables being outside of our control, we cannot provide exact timeframes until there is a formal 10-day notice given from the participating unions and facilities.

What will the schedule be like? All RNs will have 60 hours guaranteed once the work stoppage has commenced and you have arrived at your assigned facility for work (non-inclusive of compliance-related travel if required). The 60 hours are paid as straight time, unless hours are actually worked.

*Once travel commences, 36 hours are guaranteed. Once the RN starts in the assigned facility, they are guaranteed 60 hrs. Each subsequent week after the first weeks will also be a guaranteed 60 hours.

What will orientation be like? Once we have been given a 10-day notice, you will be assigned your facility-specific orientation and online training requirements. Orientation will be paid at full rate, for either 4, 8, or 12hrs based on whether you worked round 1, and based on the system, facility, and unit your assigned to. Your specific virtual orientation track will be presented to you prior to travel and onsite orientation track will be presented upon arrival. Additional MSSI company training will be paid at $30/hour, for up to 2 hours.

What will the expectations be for those selected to work the stoppage? RNs are expected to work EVERY shift of the week (depending on their specialty) during a work stoppage. That is standard practice for work stoppage nurses.

Only when a work stoppage is extended or goes over a longer than usual timeframe will you have the option to take a day off during the week, which most nurses will not want to do because at that point, you would lose straight OT on those missed shifts.

But, for a standard-length work stoppage, YES, you have to work every day that their unit is open.

If the work stoppage goes longer than two weeks, nurses, at that point, have a choice to complete their work or stay on longer as the work stoppage goes on.

Will I be reimbursed for compliance requirements? MSSI will not reimburse for any compliance items except for the MN RN License, which will be reimbursed only if you are approved for a position and are available at the time of the work stoppage. You will need to submit the receipt of payment to your Compliance Specialist. RNs need to have an active MN RN license at the time the work stoppage starts. THE DATE YOU APPLY FOR OUR MN RN LICENSE MUST BE AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR THE WORK STOPPAGE. The compliance process will start once you have been accepted to participate. caregivers who’ve completed compliance will be given preference for positions.

Can I earn referral bonuses for this? Due to the incredibly high rates we are offering for this work stoppage, we are unable to offer referral bonuses.

What are the charting systems? Cerner and EPIC.

Scrub color? Royal blue is preferred, other colors are acceptable (provided for procedural areas).

Information on Flights and Hotels

Hotels: For security reasons, more information on the hotels will be shared as we get closer to the potential work stoppage and an official notice is given. Roommates will not be allowed during the work stoppage, all hotel rooms will be private, individual rooms. You will not be able to bring family members, friends, or pets to the stoppage. If you are a local nurse working the stoppage, you do not need to stay at the hotel, however, shuttles to the facility will only take from the hotel so you must be there to get to your shift.

  • Parking: Passes will be provided for hotel parking.
  • Air Travel: Airfare will be paid by MSSI and scheduling will provided and required via Concur. Baggage will be paid up to $35 each way. MSSI is not responsible for multiple bags or overweight fees.
  • Mileage: Mileage is reimbursed up to $600 at the current IRS rate for one round trip (from home to hotel and back). Hotel parking costs are also included for nurses who elect this option. Maps from MapQuest or Google Maps and or original gas receipts are required for reimbursement.

Info on COVID-19: Following social distancing protocols, all RNs will be assigned private hotels rooms. Temperature checks will be taken upon arrival at the hotel.

How will I get paid and or reimbursed for expenses? Upon arrival to the work stoppage, an MSSI rep will meet you to confirm employment/financial forms have been completed to ensure you will be paid accordingly for your time. To receive reimbursement for parking, receipts for the airport and hotel must be submitted to your Compliance Specialist.

All compliance items MUST be completed prior travel. Upon arrival to the site, an MSSI rep will meet you to confirm that your employment and financial forms have been finished to ensure you will be paid accordingly for your time.

Documents required:

  • Photo ID
  • Direct deposit form – Can be completed electronically prior to travel
  • W4 – Can be completed electronically prior to travel
  • State withholding form– Can be completed electronically prior to travel

CLICK HERE for MN RN License FAQ >>