About NNU

National Nurses United (NNU) is a nursing labor union based in California.

Formed in 2009, National Nurses United union is comprised of several affiliate unions: the California Nurses Association-National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA-NNOC), the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) and the United American Nurses (UAN).

NNU claims to be “the largest union and professional association of registered nurses in U.S. history” with more than 175,000 members. However, in their 2021 federal financial filing, the union reported having 156,575 members.

NNU Objectives and Tactics

One of NNU’s stated objectives is to “organize all direct care RNs into a single organization…” NNU organizing tactics often include:

  • Home visits to nurses
  • Negative media campaigns against hospitals and their leaders
  • Strikes, pickets, and candlelight vigils
  • “Marches” on the CEO’s office
  • Filing multiple unfair labor practice charges against employers
  • Filing complaints about staffing and/or patient safety with Department of Health and/or other regulatory agencies
  • Use of websites and other social media to advance their agenda
  • Billboards critical of the care provided at the targeted hospital
  • Hosting continuing education courses to gather contact information from local nurses