Sharp HealthCare has finalized a new contract with its registered nurse bargaining unit, which will increase wages for nurses in San Diego. The agreement 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 higher salaries for its members.
The four-year agreement includes significant pay increases, with base wages rising by 5% in the first year and 4% in each of the following three years for all Sharp bargaining-unit registered nurses. In addition to these pay raises, the contract offers 72 hours of sick leave frontloaded for nurses. It also allows registered nurses to use other paid time off or unpaid leave to cover any shortfall if they do not have enough sick leave.
“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,” stated Susan Stone, PhD, RN, Senior Vice President, Health System Operations and System Chief Nursing Executive at Sharp HealthCare.
The nurses’ union emphasized that the new salaries will be crucial in both attracting and retaining skilled nursing staff. “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,” remarked Andrea Muir, RN, a Sharp Med-Surg/Telemetry nurse and President of the UNAC/UHCP affiliate at Sharp.
The tentative agreement was reached on January 12, 2026, marking a pivotal moment for the nursing staff at Sharp HealthCare. The union’s successful negotiation highlights the importance of fair compensation and working conditions in the healthcare sector, especially as the demand for healthcare services continues to grow.
With the new contract in place, Sharp HealthCare aims to enhance its ability to provide quality care to the San Diego community while supporting its nursing staff in their vital roles. This agreement not only reflects the organization’s dedication to its employees but also underscores the significance of healthcare professionals in maintaining public health standards.
