Organizing with NNU

Collage of nurses

A union gives RNs the legal right to advocate as a collective for contracts that ensure safe working conditions, protect nurses’ rights, and improve wages and benefits so that we can focus on what we do best: caring for our patients. Read more »

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Organizing: How it works

Every day more nurses organize to join the national nurses movement, meaning that we finally can speak with a unified voice. When RNs join together, it gives us protection for our patients and our profession.

Nurse outside holds sign "Nurses essential for patient care"

Organizing: Know your rights

You have a legal right to organize under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), a federal labor law. In the case of many public hospitals, state law that is similar to the NLRA governs the process.

National Nurses United is the largest union of RNs in the United States, with a membership of more than 225,000 RNs in all 50 states. From coast to coast, we have won the best contracts for RNs in the nation.

Why RNs vote for NNU

Large group of nurses outside Capitol Building hold signs "We are here for our patients"

New standards for RNs and patient protection

NNU contracts have created new standards for RN protection and include patient protection standards that give us the authority to directly improve patient care at our facilities.

Large group of nurses inside hospital giving thumbs up

Voice and respect

NNU representation provides RNs with the tools to have a real voice in patient care decisions, which we use to create safer health care facilities to protect our patients, our licenses, and ourselves.

A legally-binding contract

Your first NNU contract negotiations will provide you with an opportunity to work with your nurse colleagues to improve conditions for nurses and enhance protections for patients. With an NNU contract, your employer cannot unilaterally change your working conditions or reduce salaries and benefits.

Better salaries and benefits and a secure retirement

NNU nurses have won collective bargaining agreements that are the model for RNs across the nation and have won landmark improvements in retirement security for tens of thousands of RNs.

Videos

We can win anywhere; Nola nurses know

Here from nurses at University Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana on why and how they voted to join NNOC/NNU. 

We can organize anywhere

Hear from nurses in Maine, North Carolina, and North Dakota on how and why they organized their hospitals.

See all organizing videos

Organize with National Nurses United to improve workplace standards through collective bargaining, reform national health care legislation, and make a difference for you and your patients.

Organizing victories

Group of victorious Providence Saint John's nurses

Nurses at Providence Saint John’s ratify new three-year contract

Registered nurses at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract last night. The nurses, represented by CNA/NNU, won an agreement that prioritizes key issues, including expanding access to educational benefits, strengthening recruitment and long-term retention of RNs.
Large group of nurses outside hospital, smiling, with raised fists

Registered nurses at Sutter CPMC Davies vote overwhelmingly to join California Nurses Association

Registered nurses at Sutter Health California Pacific Medical Center Davies in San Francisco, Calif., voted overwhelmingly to join California Nurses Association. The election represents a significant milestone for San Francisco as well – Sutter CPMC Davies was the city’s last remaining nonunion hospital for RNs.
Six nurses outside hospital, smiling

Registered nurses at St. Joseph Health in Brazos Valley, Texas vote decisively to join National Nurses Organizing Committee / National Nurses United

Nurses at the 316-bed facility say they voted to join the union because it is critical that nurses have a say in making decisions in patient care, staffing, and to help recruit and retain experienced nurses, which leads to improved patient care.
Large group of nurses outside, smiling, with raised fists

HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital nurses vote decisively to join National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United

Registered nurses at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. voted decisively in favor of joining National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United, the largest union of registered nurses in the United States.
See all organizing victories

Bargaining victories

Large group of nurses outside, holding banner "National Nurses Organizing Committee" and signs "Safe Staffing Saves Lives"

South Florida nurses ratify new union contracts at three HSA hospitals

Registered nurses at three South Florida hospitals owned by Healthcare Systems of America (HSA) voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying new union contracts this week, winning protections to improve patient safety and nurse retention.
Nurses outside holding signs "Safe Staffing Saves Lives"

South Florida nurses call off strikes after reaching deal with HSA

RNs were preparing to strike for safe staffing measures in on-going contract negotiations because they know safe staffing is an essential part of safe patient care. Nurses stayed at the table with HSA management to reach a deal on their new contract, averting the planned strikes.
Group of nurses inside, holding large printouts of contract signers

Maine Medical Center nurses overwhelmingly ratify three-year union contract

After nearly four months of bargaining, nurses at Maine Medical Center in Portland voted last night to ratify a new union contract that provides many new safety measures for patients and nurses, among other improvements.
Group of nurses holding signs "Our Patients, Our Union, Our Rights"

UC registered nurses ratify contract

Registered nurses ratified a new four-year contract, with voting concluding Saturday, Nov. 22, announced California Nurses Association/National Nurses United. The contract includes protections to improve patient safety and nurse retention and no takeaways.
See all bargaining victories