Working in the nursing field can be highly rewarding — and nursing professionals have earned a strong sense of respect and appreciation not just from patients, but employers alike. Still, there are times when nurses need to band together and advocate for themselves. Whether they’re seeking better pay, improved work conditions, or other benefits, nursing unions can be invaluable for nursing professionals looking to protect their best interests and, in many cases, the best interests of their patients as well.
No matter if you’re already working as a nurse or plan to in the future, having a solid understanding of what nursing unions are and what they entail could help you make informed decisions in your own profession.
What Is a Nursing Union?
A nursing union refers to a group that represents nurses in negotiations, working through collective bargaining to protect work conditions and advocate for benefits for its members. National Nurses United (NNU), a well-known nurses union, explains that “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.”
It is worth noting, of course, that nursing unions don’t only represent registered nurses (RNs). In fact, there are nursing unions that represent all kinds of nurses, ranging from licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) to certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and more.
What are some of the most widely recognized nursing unions in the United States? Aside from the NNU, examples include:
- American Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals
- Service Employees International Union – Nurse Alliance
- United Food and Commercial Workers International Union
Why Should You Join a Nursing Union?
Regardless of what type of nurse you are (or aspire to be), there are plenty of reasons to consider joining a nursing union.
First and foremost, unions advocate for the safety and well-being of hard-working nurses — particularly when it comes to keeping work conditions safe for nurses. This may include advocacy to maintain certain staffing levels, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other standards. Likewise, unions can work toward negotiating better pay and benefits while establishing consistent standards for hiring.
Being part of a nursing union also allows you to have an outlet to voice your own concerns, grievances, and opinions about professional issues that are important to you. Because reputable nursing and healthcare unions carry a great deal of clout and influence, they can help you ensure that your voice is heard.
Not sure where to begin when it comes to joining a nursing union? If you’re already employed as a nurse, consider asking around to find out if any of your fellow co-workers are part of a particular union at your facility. If your workplace is not unionized or you simply haven’t entered the field yet, you can also explore nurse unions by state to learn more about your options.
The Role of Nursing Unions
Nursing unions play a central role in shaping the healthcare profession — taking charge of key tasks such as collective bargaining, advocacy, professional development, and more.
Advocacy and Collective Bargaining
One of the most essential responsibilities of any nursing union is collective bargaining, a process by which contracts are negotiated with employers on behalf of union members. These efforts can, in turn, lead to better wages and benefits as well as fair work hours and safer staffing minimums.
Meanwhile, nursing unions advocate for their members by endorsing policies that protect their well-being. For example, unions may get involved in lobbying for state and Federal healthcare laws that improve nurses’ professional and personal lives.
Professional Development and Support
In addition, nursing unions can serve as an excellent resource for nursing professionals looking to further their careers by building new skills and continuing their education. Many nursing unions, for instance, will offer members exclusive networking and professional development opportunities in the form of special workshops, classes, and other industry events. They may even offer mentorship programs, where nurses and aspiring nurses can connect with experienced healthcare professionals who are eager to share their own experiences and offer valuable career guidance.
Some nursing unions also provide much-needed legal support to members who may be facing lawsuits or even disciplinary action. With the right support and legal representation, nursing professionals can receive the guidance they need during what may be one of the most challenging times of their careers.
Impact on Nurses
Time and time again, studies have found that nursing unions can have a variety of profoundly positive impacts on professionals in the field.
Wages and Benefits
Thanks to collective bargaining, nursing unions have the ability to negotiate contracts with better wages and benefits. This has been demonstrated in numerous studies, with one reporting that “private unions generate a 20% wage advantage over private non-union workplaces,” and “unionized workers are 53.9% more likely to have employer-provided pensions.”
Job Satisfaction and Retention
Membership in nursing unions may have an impact on retention and overall job satisfaction. In fact, according to a 2023 study on healthcare unions and registered nurses, “When comparing specifically union and nonunion members, unionized nurses were less likely to report turnover.”
Workplace Safety and Conditions
Workplace conditions are a prominent concern for those working in healthcare. For nurses especially, issues surrounding staffing minimums, mandatory overtime, and other workplace safety hazards come up regularly. Fortunately, nursing and healthcare unions can (and do) work to ensure that members’ best interests and well-being are protected — voicing concerns and advocating for policies that put nurses and patients first.
In one 2024 review of nursing labor organizations, for example, researchers found that “collective bargaining outcomes may help administrators understand nurses’ needs and concerns and thereby improve nurse recruitment and retention.”
Union Impact on Patient Care
Although the primary purpose of a nursing union is to represent nursing professionals, unionization can also have an indirect yet positive impact on overall patient care and outcomes.
Staffing Levels and Patient Outcomes
Oftentimes, nursing unions advocate for policies to ensure minimum required staffing levels at hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The purpose of these policies is twofold. On the one hand, staffing minimums ensure that nurses aren’t overworked and may even prevent them from working mandatory overtime.
At the same time, when nursing units are adequately staffed, there are enough nurses to properly care for patients and provide them with the individualized attention they need (and deserve). This, in turn, could lead to improved patient outcomes overall.
Patient Safety Initiatives
Policies advocated for by nursing unions may include patient safety initiatives, too, which aim to protect patients while they are in the care of a facility’s nursing staff. This might entail specific policies regarding the administration of medication to reduce the risk of error. Patient safety initiatives may also include policies and procedures that nurses are instructed to follow to prevent infections, mitigate slip-and-fall accidents, and improve overall communication among healthcare professionals.
Challenges and Criticisms of Nursing Unions
Nursing unions aim to protect and benefit both nurses and the patients they serve, but the reality is that unions as a whole do face criticisms — particularly in the healthcare field. All nurses must take these potential drawbacks into consideration when deciding whether or not joining a union is right for them.
Strikes and Work Stoppages
While nursing union strikes don’t occur very often, they can and do happen when unions fail to reach suitable contract agreements with employers. The results of these strikes can have far-reaching and negative impacts on innocent patients, especially when nurses are required to stop working until a contract agreement can be reached.
During a strike, hospitals and other healthcare facilities may have extremely limited nurse staffing. As a result, patients may not receive the quality care they need, which could lead to errors, miscommunications, and other negative patient outcomes.
In 2023, for example, approximately 7,000 nurses in New York City walked off the job in response to failed negotiations. Therefore, affected hospitals had no choice but to pay temporary travel nurses to care for patients, resulting in additional stress for hospital staff and patients alike.
Financial Implications for Healthcare Institutions
There have also been conflicting findings on the potentially negative impacts of nursing unions on healthcare institutions, specifically as it relates to finances. When strikes and other conflicts occur, smaller hospitals may not be able to afford to replace staff — which could eventually result in facility closures.
For instance, one study found, “Unionization among hospital workers was associated with a 4-9% increase in costs,” suggesting that nursing unions may have negative financial implications for healthcare facilities. However, it is likely that further research needs to be done on this topic.
Internal Conflicts and Representation Issues
Some nurses face internal conflict when struggling to decide whether they should join a union. Though unionization can lead to better pay and benefits as well as safeguards to protect nurses’ well-being, many are hesitant to join because they don’t want to strike. In the event of a mandatory strike, nurses would have to walk out of their jobs and potentially leave their patients without proper nursing care. This is a serious ethical dilemma that no nurse wants to face.
Not to mention, these walkouts are typically unpaid, which could leave nurses without a living wage for as long as the strike continues.
Ready to Advance Your Nursing Career?
As outlined above, there are various potential benefits to joining a nursing union (if you haven’t done so already). From empowering nurses to negotiate for better wages and benefits to creating safer working environments, the right union can enhance both nurse job satisfaction and patient outcomes. The key, of course, is finding the right union and ensuring that the diverse needs of all union members are represented in your workplace.
Membership in nurses unions is a wise choice for many professionals as they enter and advance in the field. Likewise, a solid education can prepare you for the realities and challenges of nursing so you can tackle what lies ahead with confidence.
Still looking for the right RN to BSN online program to advance your career? At Nevada State University, our CCNE-accredited program is offered 100% online with coursework in essential topics such as bioethics, nursing informatics, and caring science. Get in touch to request more information about our online RN to BSN program — or take the next step by filling out an application for admission today.