National Nurses United

6 N A T I O N A L N U R S E W W W . N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G M A R C H | A P R I L 2 0 1 8 CALIFORNIA S an mateo county registered nurs- es overwhelming approved in March a new four-year contract that RNs say includes significant improvements that will allow them to continue providing high-quality care to county patients. The new contract, covering 400 RNs and nurse practitioners who work throughout the county healthcare system, features protected healthcare coverage and retirement benefits and significant econom- ic gains. In combination, these gains will help to retain the most experienced nurses who too often move to the private sector. Key elements of the contract include wage increases of up to 16 percent over the life of the contract that runs through December 2021. Most of the nurses will receive an 8 percent pay increase upon rati- fication of the agreement, which still must also be approved by San Mateo County supervisors. Under the new contract, all San Mateo County RNs will have access to training to help protect nurses, patients, and families from workplace violence—with an emphasis on violence prevention and deescalation of conflict. This critical training was formerly not available to nurses in the clinics and correctional health facilities. And for the first time, RNs who work at the Keller Center for Family Violence Intervention were recognized as part of the CNA/NNU bargaining unit. These highly trained RNs and NPs treat survivors of sexual assault, rape, and domestic violence, and are tasked with collect- ing valuable evidence for the police. "This contract takes a major step by including them as an important addition to our union. Their inclusion helps to create strong nurse teams and a continuity of care that best serves our patients," said charge nurse and chief nurse representative Margarita Harrington, RN. "We feel this is a win for the health, welfare, and safety of our patients and the community." —Staff report San Mateo nurses settle great contract CNA-NNOC is offering the following scholarship awards for the 2018/2019 academic year for CNA/NNOC members. Completed applications are due by August 1, 2018. Funds to awardees are distributed in the fall from the California Nurses Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization. Please visit www.nationalnursesunited.org/ cna-scholarships to download applications. ALAMEDA COUNTY SCHOLARSHIP The Alameda County Scholarship Program was established in 1927 by members of the Alameda County Nurses Association to benefit members from Alameda County, Calif. who are enrolled in formal education programs, attending educa- tional conferences or classes, or engaged in health educational efforts in underserved communities. MARTHA HORTON SCHOLARSHIP The Martha Horton Scholarship was established in 2002 to encourage ethnic and socioeconomic diversity in nursing. The scholarship is intended to support those accepted for admission to a two-year accredited Associate Degree Nursing Program and planning to complete the degree program within two years. Applicants must live in Going back to school? Your union NEWS BRIEFS

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