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 »

Nurse with megaphone

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

Large group of nurses celebrating with hands in the air

University Medical Center nurses vote yes to join NNOC/NNU in historic union election for New Orleans, Louisiana

Registered nurses at University Medical Center (UMC) in New Orleans, La., have voted in favor of joining National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United. Despite a disgusting union-busting effort from management, nurses voted 82% yes with over 90% turnout.
Joyous Saint Agnes nurses with fists raised

Registered nurses at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore vote to join National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United

Registered nurses at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland voted, on Nov. 2 and Nov. 3, to join National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United marking the first time in Baltimore history that RNs have unionized a hospital.
Nurses at Sutter Davis holding up California Nurses Association banner.

Registered nurses at Sutter Davis Hospital vote to join California Nurses Association

Registered nurses at Sutter Davis Hospital in Davis, Calif. voted last night to join California Nurses Association (CNA), an affiliate of National Nurses United (NNU), the nation’s largest and fastest-growing registered nurse (RN) union.
Group of nurses arm-in-arm outside

GWUH RNs vote yes to the union

George Washington University Hospital nurses voted overwhelmingly to elect the District of Columbia Nurses Association as their collective bargaining representative. Nurses voted 310-207 in favor of the union, making clear their desire to be represented by DCNA.
See all organizing victories

Bargaining victories

Large groups of nurses outside Watsonville Community Hospital holding signs "Fair Contract Now"

Watsonville Community Hospital nurses ratify new contract

Registered nurses at Watsonville Community Hospital voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying a new three-year contract. The contract – which includes protections to improve patient safety and nurse retention – is the first collective bargaining agreement since WCH became a public-sector employer following the 2021 bankruptcy fight.
Nurses at Jackson Park Hospital hold signs that read "Staff up for safe care!"

Jackson Park Hospital nurses ratify new contract with strong measures to improve patient safety and nurse retention

Registered nurses at Jackson Park Hospital in Chicago, Ill., voted unanimously in favor of ratifying a new three-year contract on Friday, Oct. 13, winning protections to improve patient safety and nurse retention.
Large group of nurses with raised fists, CNA and NNU logos

Apple Valley RNs ratify new contract with improvements for patient safety and nurse retention

Registered nurses at Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley, Calif., have overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new three-year union contract with hospital management, the culmination of a campaign persuading Providence management to invest in patient care improvements at the hospital.
Group of five nurses inside hospital

San Pedro nurses ratify a new contract with strong measures to improve patient safety and staff retention

In a resounding victory for patient care, nurses at Providence Little Company Mary Medical Center in San Pedro, Calif., have overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year union contract with hospital management.
See all bargaining victories