Registered nurses at the Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna voted Monday to join the California Nurses Association.

According to a California Nurses Association press release, the union is part of the nation’s largest organization of registered nurses, National Nurses United.

Redwood Memorial is part of the large Catholic health group St. Joseph Health system that runs hospitals in California and Texas, including St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka. Nurses at St. Joseph hospital are already represented by the California Nurses Association, the release states.

“Nurses have chosen the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United because we know the difference it will make for our patients who expect us to be an advocate for them when they come to the hospital,” Linda Gelphman, a registered nurse in Redwood Memorial’s Short Stay unit, said in the release. “We can do that now that we are joining over 1,500 RNs in the St. Joseph’s system and over 186,000 nurses nationwide in National Nurses United. That’s real power for us and our patients.”

“CNA RNs from St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka are excited to welcome Redwood into our union family,” Kerry Sweeney, registered nurse in the Child Birth Center at Eureka, said in the release. “We look forward to working with you to advocate for quality patient care.”

When contacted for comment, Redwood Memorial Hospital issued a release on Tuesday.

“While we await certification, Redwood Memorial Hospital remains focused on respecting the decision about union representation made by the majority of our eligible bargaining unit members who voted. Out of 66 eligible voters, 24 voted not to be represented and 31 voted to be represented,” the release states. “The entire leadership team is proud of how our employees have remained committed to our patients throughout this process. We will continue to respect one another’s views and unite through our shared commitment to provide a healing environment for our patients and their families.”

Original Post: http://www.times-standard.com/health/20150811/redwood-memorial-nurses-vote-to-join-california-nurses-association