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Nursing excellence

Get the facts: Nursing voices, professional practice, and the future of nursing

At Endeavor Health, our nurses embody what exceptional care looks like. They bring not only compassionate, expert care, but also a strong sense of purpose and passion for the work they feel called to do.

Our nursing professional practice reflects what our nurses live every day. We are committed to creating an environment where their voices are heard, valued and reflected in decisions shaping patient care and the future of the profession. 

We understand union organizing is a hot topic of conversation right now, and it’s normal to have questions about what might change.

This page provides resources to help our nurses better understand the many ways Endeavor Health supports them, provides opportunities to engage in key decision making, and offers factual information about the potential impact unionization could have on their role, workplace and ability to deliver patient care.

Get the facts

Choosing whether or not to unionize is a major decision that impacts your voice, your schedule, your pay and your patients. We believe in ensuring that you have complete transparency so you can make a fully informed choice. Before signing anything, it is critical to understand the realities of collective bargaining, union dues, and how federal labor laws impact your relationship and voice with leadership. 

Under the law, RNs have the right to discuss the topic of unionization outside of work areas.

Your protected rightsDocuments you should request from the union
Free speech: You can express your opinions, encourage or oppose organizing, and share personal experiences.Sample contracts: Ask to see how they typically structure language around staffing, workloads, scheduling, and seniority.
Right to refuse: You can talk to, or absolutely refuse to talk to, anyone soliciting for a union.Constitution & by-laws: Request these to understand the rules you will be forced to follow and the true freedoms you will have.
Demand evidence: You can ask both leadership and the union to provide concrete evidence for any claims they make.Financial reports (LM-2): Ask for 3–5 years of federal financial reports to see exactly how union officials spend member dues.

Endeavor Health is committed to involving front-line nurses in decisions that affect their work through Shared Governance and direct partnerships. When a union is voted in, federal law fundamentally changes this dynamic.

The bargaining processHow it impacts you
Exclusive representationThe union becomes the exclusive representative for your wages, benefits, and employment terms. Leaders are legally barred from making individual arrangements with you.
No guaranteesBargaining does not start with what you have and “go up.” Under the law, you could get more, the same, or less than you currently have. The hospital is not required to agree to union demands (like mandatory ratios).
Locked into the status quoBargaining can take years. During that time, “status quo” must be maintained in wages and benefits, which often means pay increases or benefits improvements don’t happen during negotiations.
Seniority over performanceUnion contracts heavily favor strict seniority. This dictates transfers, shift choices, vacations, and layoffs — meaning newer nurses get the last pick, regardless of their performance or individual needs.

We use multiple methods to reward and recognize the contributions and growth of individual nurses. Unions, however, operate on standardized systems that often stifle individual recognition and flexibility.

TopicThe union reality
Merit & performanceUnions typically oppose merit-based pay. Raises are the same for everyone, and unions may file grievances if one person is rewarded over another.
Locked-in pay ratesPay rates are locked in for the 3-4 year duration of a contract, and pay can fall behind the market.
Union dues & feesIn Illinois, you are required to pay the union just to keep your job. For RNs represented by Teamsters or NNU, dues usually exceed $1,000 per year, plus initiation fees and potential fines.
Career advancementDespite your individual professional development or skill level, union contracts often require advancement to higher classifications to be based entirely on seniority.

Endeavor Health cares deeply about patient care and nurse workloads and is actively utilizing technology, support staff, and flexible scheduling to improve them. While unions often promise fixes, workloads are the product of a complex set of factors, most of which are not bargained over by unions and management.

Area of concernWhat you need to know
The truth about ratiosMost union contracts do not contain mandatory ratios. Even where they exist, unions admit they have not solved workload or retention issues.
The reality of strikesA strike is a union's primary tool. Unions rarely ask if you want to strike; they ask for “authorization” to call one. Some unions have even called “sympathy strikes” without a vote.
Financial & patient impactResearch shows strikes harm patient care. Furthermore, your pay and benefits cease during a strike. While some unions offer strike pay, it is often minimal (e.g., $200/week), and short strikes often lead to week-long hospital lockouts.
Union claims vs. realityThe law does not require unions to tell the truth. Testimonials in union materials often misrepresent the reality at those hospitals, and their predictions are designed to erode your trust in leadership.

Supporting nurses at every stage

Every day, across Endeavor Health, our nurses provide compassionate, life-changing care for their patients while navigating the challenges and responsibilities of their profession. Our health system delivers the best of both worlds: tools for providing exceptional care and clinical pathways to grow a meaningful career.

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Nursing governance & decision-making

Our nurses are essential leaders, using clinical expertise and shared decision making to shape patient care and advance the future of nursing.

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Team member safety & wellbeing

Taking care of patients starts with taking care of our nurses. We work hard to ensure our nurses feel safe, supported and respected for the work they do every day. 

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Staffing & workload support

We support nurses through collaborative care models, staffing strategies and operational improvements that aim to address workforce challenges and enable exceptional patient care.

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Total rewards, recognition & achievements

Endeavor Health nurses are essential to the exceptional care and clinical excellence that define our system, and we are committed to rewarding their contributions through competitive compensation and meaningful recognition.

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Career growth & professional development

We are investing in nurses through programming and scholarships that provide clear pathways for growth, leadership and education. 

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Nursing innovation & the future of care

Nurses are shaping the future of healthcare. That’s why we partner with them to create a culture of innovation, elevate clinical practice and change patient lives for the better.

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