Registered nurses at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nev., voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying a new three-year contract, winning protections to improve patient safety and nurse retention at their facility, announced California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA/NNOC) today.

“Nurses fought for this contract to protect our patients and our colleagues,” said Kaitlin McDaniel, RN in the medical-surgical unit. “We will continue to stand united to protect our patients and our profession.”

Highlights of the contract include:

• Language that protects patients and nurse safety
• Maintained healthcare coverage for current nurse spouses or domestic partners
• Economic gains to recruit and retain experienced nurses and caregivers

“We see these improvements as a way to address nursing staff retention and recruitment,” said McDaniel. “With a strong contract like this, we hope to see a better future for Saint Mary’s in order to create an environment that allows patients in all units, on all shifts to get optimal care.”

This new contract covers a three-year term and was approved in a vote held Sept. 1 and 2. CNA/NNOC represents 488 nurses at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center.

The California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the nation with 100,000 members in more than 200 facilities throughout California and more than 175,000 RNs nationwide.