Sharp HealthCare has announced the ratification of a new contract for its registered nurses, following a lengthy seven-month negotiation process with the United Nurses Associations of California and the Union of Health Care Professionals. This agreement, finalized on January 12, 2026, comes after the previous contract for the nurses’ bargaining unit expired on September 30, 2025.
The new four-year contract features significant wage increases, with base pay rising by 5% in the first year and 4% in each of the following three years for all registered nurses within the Sharp bargaining unit. In addition to salary adjustments, the agreement includes a provision for 72 hours of sick leave that will be frontloaded, allowing registered nurses to utilize other paid time off or unpaid leave to cover any shortfall.
Susan Stone, PhD, RN, Senior Vice President, Health System Operations and System Chief Nursing Executive at Sharp HealthCare, expressed satisfaction with the agreement, stating, “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.”
The nurses’ union has emphasized that the improved wages are essential for attracting and retaining skilled professionals in the competitive healthcare landscape. Andrea Muir, RN, a Med-Surg/Telemetry nurse at Sharp 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 ratification of this contract is anticipated to enhance the working conditions for nurses at Sharp HealthCare, ultimately benefiting the patients they serve. As healthcare demands rise, the ability to provide quality care relies heavily on the retention and satisfaction of nursing staff.
The successful conclusion of these negotiations marks a significant milestone for Sharp HealthCare and its nursing staff, setting a positive precedent for future collective bargaining efforts in the healthcare sector.
