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

Nurses in front of U.S. Capitol holding banner "Strong Union, Nurses, Veterans"

San Diego nurses and veterans to rally against VA staffing cuts

Registered nurses at the VA Medical Center- San Diego will hold a rally on Wednesday, April 16, to demand an end to devastating VA staffing cuts. The VA secretary has confirmed the administration plans to cut between 72,000 to 80,000 workers, who help ensure our country’s veterans receive timely and appropriate care.
Large group of nurses with Sen. Arreguín inside, smiling, raised fists

Nurses celebrate vote to advance S.B. 632 to protect frontline nurses and other health care workers

Nurses across California applaud the vote by the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee to advance S.B. 632. If passed, this bill would ensure that nurses and other health care workers are automatically eligible for workers’ compensation for a variety of injuries and illnesses. Amidst a staffing crisis in the nursing profession, this legislation would help increase the retention of skilled nurses in California hospitals.
San Leandro Hospital nurses picket in front of the hospital

San Leandro and Alameda Hospital nurses ratify historic new contract with strong measures to improve patient safety and nurse retention

Registered nurses at San Leandro and Alameda Hospital voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying a new five-year contract that will improve patient safety and nurse retention. San Leandro RNs ratified the contract on Tuesday, April 1 and Alameda RNs ratified the contract on Wednesday, April 2. The RNs at both hospitals are now under one agreement.
Nurses holding signs "Union Nurse Power"

San Francisco nurses to hold informational picket for patient safety at Chinese Hospital

Registered nurses at Chinese Hospital in San Francisco, Calif., will hold an informational picket on Tuesday, March 25, to protest the administration’s failure to address RNs deep concerns about the safety of their immigrant patients.
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

Two nurses outside hospital smiling and holding signs, "Stand up for something or fall for anything" and "We won't give up"

Let the strike times roll! New Orleans nurses stage historic walkout for a fair first contract

Hemet RNs successfully delay obstetrics closure

HGMC registered nurses successfully prevented the planned closure of the hospital’s obstetrics department. 

Two CNA-sponsored bills signed into law

Legislation tackle medical debt and dearth of clinical placements

Nursing the Nation

Our solidarity and courage mean everything on the road ahead

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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.