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

The late Congressman John Lewis, text "Good Trouble Lives On"

Bay Area nurses to host John Lewis Day “Good Trouble Lives On” rally

Registered nurses and members of California Nurses Associationvwill host a John Lewis Day “Good Trouble Lives On” rally at noon on Thursday, July 17 in Oakland, Calif. The event is part of a nationwide day of action to honor the legacy of the late civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis.
Nurses holding signs on a grassy knoll and sidewalk: "Nurses are the heart of patient care"

Santa Clarita nurses ratify new contract with strong measures to improve patient safety and nurse retention

Registered nurses at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Valencia, Calif., voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying a new three-year contract on July 9, winning protections to improve patient safety and nurse retention.
Group of nurses outside, smiling, holding signs "Safe Staffing Now"

RNs at HCA’s Good Samaritan Hospital ratify new contract with strong measures to improve patient safety and nurse retention

Registered nurses at HCA’s Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, Calif., voted overwhelmingly this week in favor of ratifying a new five-year contract. This contract includes significant wins including protections to improve patient safety and nurse retention.
Group of nurses outside Chinese Hospital holding signs "Union Nurses Build Healthy Communities"

Chinese Hospital nurses overwhelmingly ratify contract

Registered nurses at Chinese Hospital in San Francisco, Calif., voted to ratify a three-year contract on June 27. Nurses are celebrating their victory on key demands related to patient safety and nurse retention.
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

Large group of nurses in front of Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., holding banner "Nurses for Democracy"

Defending Our Right to Health: NNU nurses challenge attacks on our public health system

Lodi nurses win their first union contract

RN's at Adventist Health Lodi Memorial voted to ratify a four-year contract 

University of California RNs kick off 2025 bargaining

Critical round of talks as system dramatically expands

Long Beach and Alhambra nurses each hold one-day strikes

RNs strike for patient safety and fair contracts

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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.