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 almost 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

Nurses at Ascension Seton in Austin make history by winning their first union election

Hear from nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas, on why they voted by landslide to join National Nurses United.

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 nurses giving thumbs up

Registered nurses at Adventist Health Lodi Memorial Hospital vote overwhelmingly to join California Nurses Association

Nurses at the 194-bed facility say they voted to join the union because it is critical that nurses have a say in making decisions to help recruit and retain experienced nurses, which leads to improved patient care.
Large group of nurses inside hospital with raised fists

Nurses at Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph Hospital in Wichita, Kansas vote overwhelmingly to join nation’s largest RN union

Nurses at St. Joseph pursued union affiliation to strengthen their capacity to advocate for much-needed change at the hospital and improve the recruitment and retention of RNs.
Group of nurses outside holding signs showing enthusiasm for organizing

Nurses at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas vote overwhelmingly to join nation’s largest RN union

Nurses sought union affiliation so they can more effectively advocate for improved conditions in the workplace and better economic standards for their colleagues and their families.
Large group of nurses with raised fists in front of sign "Together we nourish souls, transform lives, and do justice to build the Beloved Community

Nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas, vote by landslide to join National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United

Nurses said they formed a union to win improved patient care standards and strong contracts.
See all organizing victories

Bargaining victories

Group of nurses inside hospital

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

Registered nurses at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC, voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying a new three-year contract, winning protections to improve patient safety and nurse retention.
Nurses holding signs outside hospital "Patients first in the community"

Sutter Health nurses ratify strong contracts to improve recruitment and retention, patient safety

RNs at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center voted overwhelmingly to ratify their collective bargaining agreement today, concluding a 21-month system-wide contract fight with Sutter Health.
Group of nurses outside hospital wearing MSNA hats

Nurses at Maine Med win back paid leave

After a two-month campaign, the unionized nurses at Maine Medical Center have won back the paid leave benefits that the hospital abruptly ended last December.
Large group of nurses outside hospital hold signs "Staff Up for Safe Care"

Nurses look forward after year of achievements – new year begins with national day of action for safe staffing

Following a year of major contract gains across the country, nurses are pledging to step up actions to demand the hospital industry end their profession’s staffing crisis by providing safe numbers of nurses to care for patients.
See all bargaining victories