Sharp HealthCare Secures New Contract, Boosts Nurse Salaries

Sharp HealthCare has ratified a new contract that will significantly increase wages for its registered nurses in San Diego. The announcement, made on Friday, follows seven months of negotiations with the United Nurses Associations of California and the Union of Health Care Professionals. The new agreement addresses the needs of nurses whose previous contract expired on September 30, 2025, and reflects the union’s push for higher compensation.

Under this four-year contract, registered nurses will receive a base-pay increase of 5% in the first year, followed by 4% increases in each of the subsequent three years. Additionally, the contract ensures 72 hours of sick leave will be frontloaded, allowing nurses to use other paid time off or unpaid leave if they require more than their allocated sick days. The agreement also includes improved retiree medical benefits.

Dr. Susan Stone, 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 contract is a critical step in attracting and retaining skilled healthcare professionals. Andrea Muir, a registered nurse at Sharp and President of the UNAC/UHCP affiliate, highlighted the broader significance of this achievement. “This win is about more than a contract. Sharp registered nurses stood together to ensure that the San Diego community gets the healthcare they deserve, and has access to skilled, dedicated caregivers in their moments of need,” she said.

The tentative agreement was reached on January 12, 2026, marking a pivotal moment for the nursing staff at Sharp HealthCare. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, this new contract aims to bolster the nursing workforce, ensuring that the needs of both patients and caregivers are met effectively.

Overall, this contract not only addresses immediate financial concerns but also seeks to lay a foundation for sustained excellence in patient care within the Sharp HealthCare system.