[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Labor unions give workers the power to negotiate for better working conditions, and nurses’ unions are no different. Many nurses join a union to advocate for better hours, increased pay, and positive changes in the workplace. While there are many advantages to joining a nurses’ union, there are also drawbacks to consider.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide explores the pros and cons of joining a nursing union, along with some frequently asked questions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Nurses’ Union Pros and Cons: At a Glance[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is a Nurses’ Union?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses’ unions are unified organizations that represent a specific group of nurses, such as those who work in a certain hospital system or a particular state. Unions advocate for nurses and protect their rights through collective action and negotiations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Nurses’ Union Pros[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Members can expect a nurses’ union to do the following.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Ensure Safe Working Conditions[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses’ unions mandate certain standards for working conditions, including staffing levels, adequate breaks, safety equipment, and protection from violence and harassment.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Advocate for Better Pay[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”xs”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses advocate for better pay and benefits. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare workers (not just nurses) who are union members earn an average of $1,380 weekly, compared to $1,200 for those who are not in or represented by a union.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some unions also provide added benefits, like [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.nysna.org/benefits#.YWDG0mpKibh” target=”_blank”]paying for health insurance premiums[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Unions also ensure bonuses and yearly or biyearly raises are built into contracts. Unions and a collective bargaining unit will help to ensure those yearly benchmarks are met and raises are given.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Ensure Due Process for Discipline[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses’ unions establish processes for nurses facing disciplinary charges. These guidelines ensure that nurses cannot be terminated or disciplined unfairly or inconsistently.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Provide Consistent Standards for Hiring, Promotion, and Termination[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses’ unions verify that the same rules apply to hiring, promotion, and termination. This means that employees know what to expect and that everyone is held to the same standards.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Investigate Grievances[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”xs”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses who raise a complaint with management do not have to do so on their own. They can call for the nurses’ union to investigate and act for them if they have cause for complaint. Some unions will supply an attorney rather than the nurse having to find their own attorney.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While these actions provide nurses with valuable support, there can be downsides to nurses’ unions.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Nurses’ Union Cons[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are also some reasons not to join or support a nurses’ union or its policies.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Union Fees[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While most unions get more pay for their members than they cost the nurses in fees, union fees are still an item out of your paycheck.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Unpaid Strikes[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Strikes are a union’s most powerful action, but they carry a cost. [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.kezi.com/content/news/6-9-of-PeaceHealth-workers-face-unpaid-leave–575222701.html” target=”_blank”]Striking nurses aren’t paid[/hen-ui-link], and some nurses may not personally support the cause behind a strike.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Not All Members Support All Collective Action[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While unions derive their power from collective action, some members might not always support all union stances. For example, many nurses support vaccination mandates for healthcare professionals, while some nurses’ unions oppose them.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Seniority More Rewarded Than Performance[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”xs”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to many nursing union contracts, promotions and/or raises are based on seniority. The person who has worked the longest gets the first chance at a promotion or a larger raise. Many hospitals and unions will also have an advancement ladder that factors education, certifications, and years of experience.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Seniority is objective and easy to measure. However, when seniority is the most important factor in promotions, stellar performers receive the same rewards as those who are only adequate workers.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Can Protect Nurses Over Patients[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Unions are designed to protect nurses rather than patients, which can negatively impact patient care. For example, unions make it difficult to terminate nurses, which may empower nurses who perform poorly.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Nurses’ Union FAQs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some questions may arise as you consider the pros and cons of nursing unions. Here are a few frequently asked questions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Are nursing unions good or bad?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing unions protect indispensable members of the healthcare industry. Many union policies and developments, such as adequate staffing ratios and safety equipment, directly help patients. Some research indicates nurses’ union membership results in better patient outcomes. However, unions’ emphasis on standards and seniority may remove some motivation for excellent performance.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Do unions benefit or harm healthcare and nursing industries?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The pros and cons of unions in healthcare often spark debate. While unions protect and advocate for workers, they represent only one part of the healthcare ecosystem. Unions may fight for their members at the expense of patients and other stakeholders.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Should I join a nurses’ union? What are the pros and cons?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The pros and cons of nursing unions depend on your personal choices and priorities. Before joining, you should consider factors like dues, the likelihood of going on strike, the union’s leadership and ethics, and your career goals.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What is the purpose of a nursing union?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A nursing union protects and advocates for nurses, using collective action to make demands on members’ behalf. These demands often involve compensation, working conditions, and work policies and procedures.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many hospitals work hard to get the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet designation. Staffing, pay levels, and nursing education are all aspects nursing unions help with, so there can be overlay between union requirements and Magnet status.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Nurses’ Union Resources[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These resources offer more information on nurses’ unions, so you can decide if the pros of joining outweigh the cons.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Reading[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”/articles/nursing-organizations-support-mandated-covid-19-vaccine/,/resources//taking-advantage-of-nursing-organizations/,/resources//professional-nursing-associations/,/resources//networking-in-nursing/”][/hen-ui-article-row][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Reviewed by:[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Elizabeth M. Clarke, FNP, MSN, RN, MSSW” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/e_grayscale/v1616020353/NurseJournal.org/Elizabeth_Clarke-1.jpg” img-alt=”Elizabeth M. Clarke, FNP, MSN, RN, MSSW” layout=”horizontal” background=”none” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Elizabeth Clarke (Poon) is a board-certified family nurse practitioner who provides primary and urgent care to pediatric populations. She earned a BSN and MSN from the University of Miami.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Clarke is a paid member of our Healthcare Review Partner Network. [hen-ui-link href=”/healthcare-review-partners//”]Learn more about our review partners[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex]