Hundreds of registered nurses moved from patient bedsides to the streets on Thursday morning to begin a strike against two San Jose hospitals affiliated with the Hospital Corporation of America.

Members of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United walked out of Good Samaritan Hospital and Regional Medical Center. The union represents 1,400 employees at the two institutions.

The nurses had planned to strike for two days, but the hospitals brought in replacement workers on five-day contracts and said the striking employees would not be allowed to return until those contracts end.

“We have enough replacement workers so we are not canceling procedures or making reductions in services,” said hospital spokeswoman Leslie Kelsay.

The dispute involves wages, benefits, pensions and staffing levels.

The San Jose strike coincides with the final day of a seven-day walkout that the union organized against Sutter Health hospitals in the East Bay.

Sandy Kleffman covers health. Contact her at 510-293-2478. Follow her at Twitter.com/skleffman.