Officials with USC University Hospital and USC Norris Cancer Hospital have reached a tentative contract agreement with the California Nurses Association (CNA). The three-year agreement is subject to ratification by CNA nurses at the hospitals next week.

Hospital leaders called the agreement the beginning of a new era of collaboration with CNA.

"We are excited about the new spirit of cooperation and the mutual commitment to work together to advance USC's medical center as a whole, including our two hospitals. We are proud of all of our nurses, who are committed to providing outstanding care to the patients we serve," said USC hospitals CEO Mitch Creem.

This is the first time CNA and USC have negotiated a contract.

USC acquired USC University Hospital and USC Norris Cancer Hospital from Tenet Healthcare in 2009. CNA had a four-year contract with Tenet Healthcare, which ended Dec. 31, 2010.

Negotiations between USC and CNA began on Oct. 20, 2010. CNA represents approximately 600 registered nurses at both USC University Hospital and USC Norris Cancer Hospital.