Sharp HealthCare has officially ratified a new contract for its registered nurse bargaining unit, significantly enhancing wages for nurses in San Diego. This decision follows seven months of negotiations with the United Nurses Associations of California and the Union of Health Care Professionals. The previous contract expired on September 30, 2025, prompting the union to advocate for substantial pay increases.
The new four-year agreement includes notable provisions, such as base-pay increases of 5% in the first year, followed by 4% in each of the subsequent three years for all registered nurses within the Sharp bargaining unit. Additionally, the contract offers 72 hours of sick leave frontloaded, along with the option for nurses to utilize other paid time off or unpaid leave if they require additional time. Furthermore, improvements to retiree medical benefits are included in this contract.
In a statement, Susan Stone, PhD, RN, Senior Vice President of Health System Operations and System Chief Nursing Executive at Sharp HealthCare, expressed satisfaction with the agreement. “We are pleased to have reached this agreement, which reflects our commitment to our nurses and our community. We believe it will help us continue to attract the very best registered nurses to Sharp,” she stated.
The nurses’ union emphasized that the wage increases are crucial for both attracting and retaining skilled professionals at Sharp. Andrea Muir, RN, a nurse in the Med-Surg/Telemetry department and President of the UNAC/UHCP affiliate at Sharp, remarked, “This win is about more than a contract. Sharp registered nurses stood together to ensure that the San Diego community gets the health care they deserve, and has access to skilled, dedicated caregivers in their moments of need.”
The union’s bargaining team reached a tentative agreement on January 12, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the negotiations. The new contract not only aims to improve the working conditions for nurses but also seeks to enhance the overall quality of care for patients in the San Diego area.
This contract ratification comes at a time when many healthcare facilities are facing challenges in staffing and retention due to competitive job markets. By improving compensation and benefits, Sharp HealthCare is positioning itself as an attractive employer for nursing professionals in the region.
In conclusion, the ratification of this contract is a critical step forward for Sharp HealthCare and its nursing staff, reflecting a commitment to both employee welfare and community health care standards.
