Nurses at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital Vote to Unionize

Nurses at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital Join National Nurses United

In a significant move toward improving patient care and working conditions, registered nurses at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital have voted to unionize with the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), the largest union for registered nurses in the United States.

The decision came after a two-day voting process held from September 10th to 11th, where over 65% of the nurses supported the unionization effort.

"I am absolutely overwhelmed and elated that we are now part of National Nurses United," said Paige Campbell, an emergency department registered nurse. "We now have the opportunity to make real changes at our hospital so we can provide the highest quality of care to each and every one of our patients. We know that with a seat at the bargaining table, management must address our concerns. And while we rejoice in this victory, we know in the end, it is our patients who will be the biggest winners."

Marissa Lee, a registered nurse at HCA's Osceola Hospital and NNU vice president, expressed joy at welcoming the Fort Walton-Destin nurses to the union, highlighting the solidarity among 10,000 HCA nurses and more than 225,000 registered nurses nationwide.

To arrange an interview with a nurse, please contact press@nationalnursesunited.org.

Stills and b-roll of the union victory celebration can be found here.

Video interview clips of HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital nurses are available here.

The nurses' decision to unionize stems from ongoing challenges such as chronic short-staffing, unsafe floating practices, equipment malfunctions, and workplace violence. A national study indicated that HCA's staffing levels are roughly 30% below the national average. These conditions hinder the ability of nurses to deliver safe and effective care.

Lee remarked on HCA's financial capacity, stating, "We know that HCA has very deep pockets, and could easily supply us with appropriate staffing and working equipment. But those sitting in the C-suites making the decisions don’t concern themselves with patient care, they are only concerned with profits. As nurses, we are here to remind them every day that those people lying in our hospital beds are not just a number, but real people with families, dreams, and aspirations. They need and deserve the very best that we can offer them, and that means safe staffing."

HCA Healthcare, Inc., the hospital's owner, is the largest for-profit operator of healthcare facilities in the U.S., valued at over $90 billion. Last year, HCA's CEO, Sam Hazen, earned $23.8 million.

The Florida market has proven to be highly profitable for HCA, with the company's hospitals in the state generating nearly $15 billion in profits from 2019 to 2023, including $616 million from Fort Walton-Destin Hospital.

In addition to Fort Walton-Destin Hospital's 400 nurses, NNOC/NNU represents around 3,500 nurses across 11 HCA hospitals in Florida, and approximately 6,500 more at HCA facilities in other states like California, North Carolina, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Nevada.

The nurses will now proceed to elect their bargaining team and negotiate their first contract, focusing on the issues that fueled their unionization drive.

NNU, representing over 225,000 nurses nationwide, includes members in states such as Texas, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, and Louisiana.

National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.

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