Nursing Practice Director
The California Nurses Association (CNA)/National Nurses Organizing Committee (NNOC)/National Nurses United (NNU) is leading the national movement for registered nurse power to transform the market-driven health care industry into a health care system based on patient need.
CNA/NNOC/NNU, the nation's largest union of registered nurses, recognizes that building worker power and holding employers accountable to nurses’ collective bargaining rights are essential to recruiting and retaining Registered Nurses, while protecting their freedom to advocate for patients without fear of retaliation.
In California, the California Nurses Association passed the first historic Registered Nurse safe staffing law – nurses nationwide understand lives will be changed by safely limiting the number of very sick patients they are responsible for. Safe staffing makes a real difference in patient outcome and a nurse's ability to do the meaningful work they believe in, providing significant care.
Who We Are
We are a worker-led union dedicated to building the collective power of working people. We fight for better workplaces, stronger communities, and a society that puts people before profit. We are seeking organizers who are passionate about justice, motivated by collective action, and committed to helping workers build power.
We welcome candidates from labor, community organizing, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, student movements, political campaigns, and other mission-driven backgrounds.
What We Believe In
- Worker Power: Lasting change happens when workers organize and act collectively to improve their workplaces and communities.
- Social Justice: We believe workplace issues are deeply connected to broader struggles for equity, dignity, and justice.
- Transformative Change: We are committed to building a stronger labor movement capable of creating meaningful change for working people.
- Political Engagement: Workers have the power to fight back against all forms of oppression that impact our lives through collective action and democratic participation.
Who Thrives Here
Successful candidates are:
- Deeply committed to justice and solidarity
- Strong relationship builders
- Resilient, adaptable, and willing to learn
- Motivated by collective action and worker empowerment
- Comfortable engaging, persuading, and mobilizing others
- Prepared to invest the time, persistence, and collaborative effort necessary to strengthen the labor movement and advance lasting change for workers.
Position Overview
The California Nurses Association (CNA)/National Nurses United (NNU) seeks a committed Registered Nurse for the position of Nursing Practice Director.
The Nursing Practice Department conducts research, literature reviews, synthesis and analysis on issues within its area of concern; drafts practice and policy position statements; collaborates with the legal, government relations, communications and collective bargaining department; serves as a resource on nursing practice issues for labor representatives and organizing staff; provides oral and written testimony and submits public comments on behalf of the organization; provides continuing education programs and monitors professional practice issues and trends affecting direct care (bedside) RNs. The department is a resource for the CNA/NNOC contract-mandated Professional Practice Committees (PPC) in each facility to ensure that laws and regulations related to nursing practice patient advocacy, and professional practice standards are observed and protected.
What You’ll Do - Responsibilities
The Nursing Practice Director supervises Nursing Practice staff, serves as a general resource on nursing practice, and patient and social advocacy issues for the organization. The Nursing Practice Director will plan, organize, coordinate and present training and education programs on nursing practice, patient and social advocacy issues. Knowledge of state Nursing Practice Acts, health care facility regulations and current threats to nursing scope of practice and patient advocacy is required.
What You’ll Bring - Minimum Qualifications
- Current Registered Nurse license
- Clinical nursing experience
- Demonstrated expertise in nursing practice issues and health care policy
- Strong research, analytical, and communication skills
- Experience in developing and delivering CEU programs
- Ability to interpret nursing practice statutes and regulations and their impact on nursing practice
- Willingness to travel at least 40%
- Driver's license
Experience that is helpful but not required
- Demonstrated effectiveness at advocating for high standards for registered nurses in the workplace and patients in health care facilities through a labor organization
- Experience with a labor union, social justice advocacy, or health care activism
- Capacity to work in the Oakland, California union headquarters.
- Passionate advocate for nursing practice and patient care
- Strong ethical standards and professional judgment
- Collaborative team player with capacity for independent work
This position is based in person in Oakland, CA and may require up to 40% of travel.
If your experience does not perfectly match every qualification, but you believe you have the experience, skills, values, and commitment to succeed in this role and aligned with our mission, we encourage you to still apply.
Compensation and benefits: Competitive salary range of $161,921- $261,896, commensurate with experience, and a comprehensive benefits package including comprehensive family health and dental plan, retirement contributions, and professional development opportunities.
We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being.
Instructions on how to apply: Applications received on a rolling basis.
To apply, please submit:
- Current resume highlighting relevant nursing and policy experience
- Detailed cover letter explaining your qualifications and vision for this role
- A recent sample of your written work on a nursing practice issue
- A short description of a challenge facing US nurses today and an outline for a 4-hour workshop about this challenge and some potential solutions
CNA/NNOC/NNU is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate based on any protected category, including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, gender, gender expression (including transgender expression or pregnancy), political affiliation, age, immigration status or disability. We encourage qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
All submitted application materials must be the direct, original work of the applicant; the use of generative A.I. tools to write your resume, cover letter, or responses is prohibited to preserve the integrity of our hiring process.