Large group of nurses inside holding banner "California Nurses Association"

About CNA

Founded in 1903, the California Nurses Association is a premiere organization of registered nurses and one of the nation’s fastest growing labor and professional organizations in the U.S. with more than 100,000 members in more than 200 facilities throughout California.

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CNA 101

Your guide to joining the RN movement. Learn more about our program, our history, and how we are organized.

CHEU

CHEU

The Caregivers and Healthcare Employees Union is an independent union formed in 2001 by hospital employees to win strong union representation, better benefits, and improved conditions for employees and patients. It is an affiliate of CNA.

Press releases

Large group of nurses outside holding signs "Safe Staffing NOW", "Recruit, Retain, Respect RNs", and "Nurses are the heart of patient care"

San Joaquin County nurses to hold one-day ULP strike

Hundreds of registered nurses in San Joaquin County’s health system will hold an unfair labor practice (ULP) strike on Friday, Jan.17, to protest management’s persistent undermining of the bargaining process. The nurses filed a ULP charge against the county, charging that management made unilateral changes outside of the bargaining process, jeopardizing the recruitment and retention of nurses, which has a direct impact on patient safety.
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RN Response Network Monitoring Massive Los Angeles-area Fires, Evacuations

The Registered Nurse Response Network is currently monitoring the severe wildfires that have damaged or destroyed thousands of structures and caused five deaths across the greater Los Angeles area. RNRN will continue assessing the situation and the potential need to activate nurse volunteers in response. 
Group of nurses outside holding signs "Safe Staffing NOW", "Recruit, Retain, Respect RNs", and "Nurses are the heart of patient care"

San Joaquin County nurses to hold one-day unfair labor practice strike on Jan. 17

Registered nurses in San Joaquin County’s health system will hold an unfair labor practice strike on Friday, Jan. 17, to protest management’s persistent undermining and circumvention of the bargaining process since the nurse’s contract expired on April 30, 2024
Nurses in front of California state capitol building holding banners and signs: "Insist on an RN"

Salinas Valley Health nurses overwhelmingly ratify new contract with precedent-setting gains

RNs at Salinas Valley Health Medical Center in Salinas, Calif., voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying a new four-year contract that features key gains to ensure retention and recruitment of nurses, enhance patient care and nursing practice, and includes new provisions for health and safety, prevention of workplace violence, and dedicated break relief protections.
All CNA press releases

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

Videos

2024 California Nurses Association lobby day

Hundreds of registered nurses rallied and marched in Sacramento, Calif. before meeting with legislators about nurses’ key issues and priority legislation.

Safe Staffing Ratios Protect Patient and Nurses

Safe RN ratios have been proven to improve the quality of care and nurse recruitment and retention in California hospitals, yet understaffing is a major issue RNs struggle with every day. Together, we can change that.

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National Nurse Magazine

Two nurses outside hospital smiling and holding signs, "Stand up for something or fall for anything" and "We won't give up"

Let the strike times roll! New Orleans nurses stage historic walkout for a fair first contract

Hemet RNs successfully delay obstetrics closure

HGMC registered nurses successfully prevented the planned closure of the hospital’s obstetrics department. 

Two CNA-sponsored bills signed into law

Legislation tackle medical debt and dearth of clinical placements

Nursing the Nation

Our solidarity and courage mean everything on the road ahead

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Campaigns

Nurses inside hosptial hold signs "Safe Staffing Saves Lives"

California Safe Staffing Ratios

A.B. 394, the CNA-sponsored safe staffing law, has multiple provisions designed to remedy unsafe staffing in acute-care facilities. California’s safe staffing standards are based on individual patient acuity, of which the RN ratios is the minimum.

Nurse inside car displaying sign "CalCare"

CalCare

The California Nurses Association is proud to sponsor Assembly Bill 1400, the California Guaranteed Health Care for All Act (CalCare), which would guarantee comprehensive, high-quality health care to all California residents as a human right.

Sign "Nurses Heal California"

Supported California Legislation

CNA is committed to building a broad movement for transformative social change and confronting the powerful interests that dominate our economic and political system. Learn more about our supported and sponsored California legislation.