The former nurse allegedly prescribed more than 9,000 narcotic pain pills to patients she never treated. Supervisors say one of those she prescribed pills for is identified as her boyfriend. Her lawyer denies the woman did anything outside normal practices for pain management.

A nurse at St. Cloud Hospital was charged for allegedly stealing pain medication from 23 patients and is also accused by hospital staff of introducing bacterial infections to patients from syphoning from IV bags.

The agreement includes a 3 percent pay raise and gives nurses more say in staffing and scheduling. Both sides say they compromised in order to reach the deal.

Felony drug charges were filed Friday against a Nicollet nurse who allegedly stole dozens of morphine pills from a former hospice patient in Mankato.

Officials confirm to MPR a patient at the Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter died this week. They aren't releasing any additional information. The death comes the same week that embattled chief David Proffitt stepped down under pressure.

There's been a steady stream of reports predicting a dearth of nurses in the coming years. But some job-seeking Minnesota nurses are having a tough time finding work.

Fines or other penalties are possible at the two Twin Cities hospitals. They're on a growing list of institutions that have have had patient records on laptop computers stolen. Experts say hospitals trying to use patient data to cut costs are sharing the information with more consultants -- raising the chances of theft or loss.

A state official tells lawmakers that metal handcuffs and seclusion are being phased out at the state hospital. The hospital was fined last year for maltreatment of patients.