Please, some info on unions, hospital affiliations, and legislation protecting nurses

[essedus]

Hello. I was hoping to get some help with figuring out union organization and hospital affiliations.

I am moving from New York city, here it's mostly NYSNA. Is the California Nurses Association the only union representing California nurses? Are all employed nurses in the union or are there non-union positions? Does the union work hard for the members?

I understand that California has legislation protecting sanctioned nurse-patient ratios, is this upheld strongly? Is there other legislation protecting nurses such as nursing as a physically taxing profession or attack on RN viewed as a felony?

In New York city there are various corporations managing hospital chains. What are those corporations in California, namely Santa Cruz area? Is Kaiser Permanente an insurance company or do they also manage hospitals?

Any information on obstetrical nursing in California would also be appreciated.

Thank you very much.

Katya

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

I think CNA is pretty much it in California. Each company will have their own agreement with CNA. For example, Kaiser will have a different agreement from CHW. I would have to say the Union is pretty strong, and that at my facility the ratio is upheld very well.

I can't tell you much about obstetrical nursing....or northern California.

Please tell me you have a job lined up, especially the bay area. I don't even think a good amount of experience will guarantee you a job. A lot of facilities are having hiring freezes.

Good luck to you.

[essedus]

"Hiring freezes"? Wow, that sounds bad. What happened to that much talked about shortage?

I am not about to just move without lining something up but it will be difficult getting hired from NY, one place already told me that they would sooner consider someone already in CA rather than take a chance on me.

Too bad 'cause I am in a rush to get out of here.

Be well, Katya

[RNKPCE]

CNA is not the only union in Calfornia. I know several facilities that have their own independent or smaller unions like CRONA at Stanford.

Kaiser is a health care giant they are insurance and healthcare provider inpatient and outpatient all in one.

[essedus]

I see. It's similar to NYC then; one big union that most nurses belong to and some smaller unions that have contracts with individual institutions.

I heard some not so great stuff about Kaiser; that they dominate and subjugate other institutions to their rules. But that was only one person that told me that so I don't know.

Thanks, K

[Mike A. Fungin RN]

There are some non-union hospitals in California too, mostly magnet institutions.