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

Alameda RNs in front of hospital holding signs "Some cuts don't heal" and "Nurses care"

Alameda Hospital and San Leandro Hospital nurses to hold rally and speak-out for safe staffing

RNs who work at Alameda and San Leandro hospitals in Alameda County, Calif., will hold a rally and speak-out at the Alameda Health Systems (AHS) Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 18, to highlight their patient safety concerns, including cuts to staffing, and AHS's failure to meaningfully address these serious issues during bargaining.
Large group of nurses outside California capitol building, CNA and NNU logos

Nurses applaud governor’s veto of S.B. 1432

Registered nurses and health care workers across California applaud Gov. Gavin Newsom’s veto of S.B. 1432, which would have allowed hospital executives to delay implementation of critical seismic safety standards and risked workers’ and patients’ lives.
Close-up of a seismograph machine needle tracing seismic waves, indicative of earthquake activity, on graph paper with epicenter rings.

California nurses urge veto on dangerous earthquake safety delay legislation that places health care workers, patients, and communities at risk

Registered nurses and health care workers across California call on Governor Newsom to ensure hospitals remain open and fully functioning in the event of a major earthquake by promptly vetoing SB 1432.
Group of six nurses inside hospital standing side-by-side

Hemet nurses condemn suspension of hospital’s obstetrics services

Registered nurses at Hemet Global Medical Center in Hemet, California, condemn the suspension of obstetrics services at the hospital.
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

National Nurse magazine April-May-June issue cover

Software don’t care: RNs challenge A.I. and other technology, know nursing judgment is best

Palm Springs nurses fight for hospital’s future

Desert Regional Medical Center RNs sound the alarm at public forum

Hollister nurses vindicated by court ruling

Judge sides with RNs in rejecting hospital bankruptcy

UC RNs hold state public health department accountable

UC RNs from across the state rally in front of the California Department of Public Health

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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.