WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - Registered nurses at Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph in Wichita voted 179 to 108 on Wednesday to unionize.

The union with National Nurses United includes all full-time, regular part-time, and per diem registered nurses. St. Joseph is located at 3600 East Harry.

Ascension Via Christi released the following statement:

“We are disappointed our registered nurses at Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph voted for union representation. We strongly believe we can be most effective working collaboratively without union representation. We respect the voting process and are committed to ensuring it is followed during the vote certification period.”

Last year, nurses at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis voted to join National Nurses Organizing Committee, an affiliate of National Nurses United, the nation's largest RN union. That union represents more than 650 RNs at the hospital.

Ascension is one of the largest not-for-profit and Catholic hospital chains in the nation, with 143 hospitals and other health care facilities in 19 states.