Nurse holds sign "We are here for our patients"

About CNA

Founded in 1903, the California Nurses Association is a premiere organization of registered nurses and one of the nation’s fastest growing labor and professional organizations in the U.S. with more than 100,000 members in more than 200 facilities throughout California.

Collage of nurses

CNA 101

Your guide to joining the RN movement. Learn more about our program, our history, and how we are organized.

CHEU

CHEU

The Caregivers and Healthcare Employees Union is an independent union formed in 2001 by hospital employees to win strong union representation, better benefits, and improved conditions for employees and patients. It is an affiliate of CNA.

Press releases

Group of nurses marching towards CA Capitol building, holding banner "Patients over Profits"

California nurses to march and rally at state capitol for California Nurses Association lobbying day May 14

Registered nurses from across California will march and rally in Sacramento, Calif., on May 14 ahead of lobby visits with lawmakers at the state capitol to discuss nurses’ priority legislation.
Nurses in front of state capitol building holding banners and signs: "Insist on an RN"

Washington Hospital nurses ratify new contract with strong measures to improve patient safety and nurse retention

Registered nurses at Washington Hospital in Fremont, Calif., voted in favor of ratifying a new four-year contract winning protections to improve patient safety and nurse retention at their facility.
Nurse stands in front of TV camera, others stand behind

Tri-City nurses to hold speak-out highlighting issues that jeopardize patient and staff safety

Registered nurses who work in acute care inpatient and outpatient units with the Tri-City Healthcare District in Oceanside, Calif., will hold a speak-out to demand hospital and district officials address ongoing staffing and health and safety concerns.
Large group of nurses outside hospital holding signs "Patients First"

Bakersfield Memorial nurses to hold informational picket for safe patient care

Registered nurses at Dignity Health’s Bakersfield Memorial Hospital will hold an informational picket on Thursday, May 2, to stand in solidarity against the hospital administration’s refusal to address RNs’ serious patient care concerns.
All CNA press releases

Organize with the California Nurses Association to improve workplace standards through collective bargaining, reform national health care legislation, and make a difference for you and your patients.

Videos

Safe Staffing Ratios Protect Patient and Nurses

Safe RN ratios have been proven to improve the quality of care and nurse recruitment and retention in California hospitals, yet understaffing is a major issue RNs struggle with every day. Together, we can change that.

2023 California Nurses Association lobby day

Hundreds of registered nurses rallied and marched in Sacramento, Calif. before meeting with legislators about nurses’ key issues and priority legislation.

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Campaigns

Nurses inside hosptial hold signs "Safe Staffing Saves Lives"

California Safe Staffing Ratios

A.B. 394, the CNA-sponsored safe staffing law, has multiple provisions designed to remedy unsafe staffing in acute-care facilities. California’s safe staffing standards are based on individual patient acuity, of which the RN ratios is the minimum.

Nurse inside car displaying sign "CalCare"

CalCare

The California Nurses Association is proud to sponsor Assembly Bill 1400, the California Guaranteed Health Care for All Act (CalCare), which would guarantee comprehensive, high-quality health care to all California residents as a human right.

Sign "Nurses Heal California"

Supported California Legislation

CNA is committed to building a broad movement for transformative social change and confronting the powerful interests that dominate our economic and political system. Learn more about our supported and sponsored California legislation.