Need to Know ASAP: California: Unions

fiestynurse · Mar 26, 2004

No, the whole state is not unionized. However, the CNA and SEIU (Nursing unions) just joined forces and the vision is for a statewide union. Northern California is more unionized than Southern California. There are are still many facilities that are not unionized.

If your desire is to work at a unionized facility, it is important that you ask at each job interview. When you become employed at a unionized facility you are a member of the union on the first day of employment. Depending on the union contract you may or may not be able to negotiate your starting salary. Some contracts allow for some flexibility and others are set in stone.

P.S. Apply for your California nursing license well in advance. Since the implementation of nurse/patient ratios, applications for licensure in California has doubled and there is a backlog.

sharann, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2004

No, the whole state is not unionized. However, the CNA and SEIU (Nursing unions) just joined forces and the vision is for a statewide union. Northern California is more unionized than Southern California. There are are still many facilities that are not unionized.
If your desire is to work at a unionized facility, it is important that you ask at each job interview. When you become employed at a unionized facility you are a member of the union on the first day of employment. Depending on the union contract you may or may not be able to negotiate your starting salary. Some contracts allow for some flexibility and others are set in stone.
P.S. Apply for your California nursing license well in advance. Since the implementation of nurse/patient ratios, applications for licensure in California has doubled and there is a backlog.

"But theres a nursing shortage!!!!( cry the hopital associations)in California"

fiestynurse · Mar 26, 2004

Yeh! A nursing shortage that they created!

youknowho · Mar 27, 2004

Is there really a shortage?? It seems so hard to get into a program. 200+ qualified apps for 70 spaces at local CC. I still have one more class so I am stuck waiting another year. :rolleyes:

fiestynurse · Mar 27, 2004

Unfortunately there is a shortage of Masters prepared nursing instructors and not enough money being spent to expand these programs. Even so, a large percentage of new nurses leave the profession after a few years because of poor working conditions. Currently, the age of the average nurse is 47 years and the demand for nurses continues to increase as the baby boomers age. The nursing shortage hasn't even reached it's peak, yet.

I think unionizing has improved working conditions and increased pay. The nurse/patient ratio bill in California and the no mandatory overtime bills have certainly helped, too.