Desert Regional Nurses Approve New Contract Aimed at Staffing and Safety

The agreement passed with strong support, with 93% of nurses voting in favor.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:35am

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Registered nurses at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs—along with nurses at five other California Tenet Healthcare facilities—have approved a new three-year labor contract aimed at improving working conditions and patient care. The agreement includes improved staffing measures, guaranteed orientations for new hires, and wage increases of up to 18%, as well as ensuring no cuts to existing health benefits.

Why it matters

The new contract represents a major step forward in addressing long-standing concerns about staffing levels and nurse retention at Desert Regional Medical Center and other Tenet Healthcare facilities in California. Supporters say the improved working conditions will directly benefit patient safety and allow nurses to provide higher-quality care.

The details

The contract passed with 93% of nurses voting in favor. Key provisions include improved staffing measures, guaranteed orientations for new hires, and wage increases of up to 18%. The agreement also ensures there will be no cuts to existing health benefits, a point that was especially important for workers during negotiations.

  • The new three-year labor contract was approved on March 27, 2026.

The players

Desert Regional Medical Center

A hospital located in Palm Springs, California that is part of the Tenet Healthcare network.

Tenet Healthcare

A large for-profit hospital company that operates facilities across the United States, including six in California covered by this new contract.

Registered nurses

Healthcare workers at Desert Regional Medical Center and five other Tenet Healthcare facilities in California who voted to approve the new labor contract.

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The takeaway

This new contract is an important step in addressing long-standing staffing and retention issues at Desert Regional Medical Center and other Tenet Healthcare facilities in California, which union leaders say will directly benefit patient safety and the quality of care provided.