Large group of nurses inside holding banner "California Nurses Association"

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

Large group of nurses outside CA Capitol building, CNA/NNU logos

Long Beach and Alhambra nurses to hold one-day strikes on May 22

Registered nurses at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Long Beach, Calif., and Alhambra Hospital Medical Center in Alhambra, Calif., will strike on Thursday, May 22 to protest issues impacting patient care and safe staffing.
Nurses marching in front of California Capitol building holding signs "Patients Before Profits"

Nurses to lobby at state capitol on May 13 for California Nurses Association bills to protect patients, nurses

Registered nurses from across California will lobby state legislators in Sacramento, Calif., on Tuesday, May 13, to discuss nurses’ priority legislation to protect patients and nurses, announced California Nurses Association.
Nurses on picket line outside of hospital

Long Beach Memorial nurses announce one-day strike for patient safety

Registered nurses at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center in Long Beach, Calif., gave notice to their employer that they will hold a one-day strike to protest the hospital’s refusal to engage in good faith negotiations over needed improvements to patient care, RN working conditions, and staffing.
Pile of "Safe Staffing Now" buttons

Santa Clarita nurses to hold community rally for patient safety and safe staffing

Registered nurses at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Santa Clarita, Calif., will hold a community rally on Saturday, April 26, to protest the administration’s refusal to address RNs’ ongoing concerns about safe staffing and safe working conditions.
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

2024 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.

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.

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National Nurse Magazine

Nurses at rally holding signs "Fund Care Not Billionaires"

Saving Lives: NNU Nurses challenge dealy Medicaid cuts, public health attacks

Nurses fight to save Medicaid

RNs march in Washington, D.C., protest at members of Congress’ offices

San Joaquin County nurses win new contract

RNs held one-day strike, avert second strike before contract victory

CNA sponsors bills to report insurance denials and end exploitative worker contracts

Measures will publicly document why insurance claims are denied

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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.