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.

Collage of nurses

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

Nurses picketing at USC Keck Medicine

USC nurses to hold informational pickets for patient safety and fair contracts

Nurses at University of Southern California hospitals will hold two informational pickets on March 14 in Glendale and Los Angeles, California, as they protest USC administration’s refusal to adequately address RNs’ deep concerns about patient care and safe working conditions.
San Joaquin nurses picketing for patient safety

San Joaquin County nurses ratify new contract with strong measures to improve patient safety and nurse retention

San Joaquin County health system’s registered nurses voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying a new three-year contract on Tuesday, March 11, winning protections to improve patient safety and nurse retention, announced California Nurses Association/National Nurses United.
Large group of nurses outside CA Capitol building, CNA/NNU logos

Nurses applaud the introduction of A.B. 692, ending exploitative worker debt contracts

California Nurses Association applauds California State Assemblymember Ash Kalra’s introduction of A.B. 692, which would end exploitative “stay-or-pay” worker contracts that coerce workers to enter agreements requiring them to pay an alleged debt or other financial penalty to their employer if they leave their job before a certain time period.
Hazel Hawkins RNs and community holding signs in front of hospital to "Save our community hospital. Save Hazel Hawkins."

Hazel Hawkins nurses to outline demands for lease-to-purchase contract with private buyer

Registered nurses at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister, Calif. will outline their demands for a lease-to-purchase contract with Insight Health on Thursday, Feb. 27, at the San Benito Health Care District meeting.
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

Full Issue See All Issues

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.