Organizing with NNU

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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

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.
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.
See all organizing victories

Bargaining victories

Large group of nurses outside hospital with fists raised, signs that read "Patients are our top priority"

El Paso nurses overwhelmingly ratify new contract with measures to improve patient safety and nurse retention

RNs at The Hospitals of Providence’s Memorial, Sierra, and East Campuses in El Paso, Tex., voted 97.7 percent in favor of ratifying a new three-year contract yesterday, winning protections to improve patient safety and nurse retention.
Group of nurses at table giving thumbs up

Nurses in Humboldt County ratify new contract with strong measures to improve patient safety and nurse retention

Registered nurses at Providence St. Joseph Hospital Eureka and at Providence Redwood Memorial Hospital voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying a new three-year contract, winning protections to improve patient safety and nurse retention.
Large group of health care workers, CHEU logo

Glendale Memorial Hospital health care workers ratify new contract with strong measures to improve patient safety and worker retention

Respiratory therapists, laboratory technicians, and many other health care workers at Glendale Memorial Hospital in Glendale, Calif., voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying a new four-year contract, winning protections to improve patient safety and worker retention.
Nurses holding sign that reads "Staff up for safe care!"

Community First Medical Center nurses ratify new contract with strong measures to improve patient safety and nurse retention

Registered nurses at Community First Medical Center in Chicago, Ill., voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying a new 40-month contract winning protections to improve patient safety and nurse recruitment and retention.
See all bargaining victories