Benefits

How to Become a Member

Why Was ANA Founded?

The American Nurses Association (ANA) was originally created before there were laws requiring the licensing of nurses to provide consistent standards in education and nursing practices. The organization was also responsible for establishing the code of ethics and laid the foundations for the nursing profession as we know it today (Matthews, 2012). As the field of nursing quickly evolved, the ANA “developed…the means for registered nurses to be credentialed in areas of specialization” and played an active role in the advancement of the nursing profession (“ANA History”, 2017). The overall vision of the ANA is expressed through their mission statement, “nurses advancing our profession to improve health for all” (“About ANA”, 2017).

When ANA was Founded

American Nurse Association was initially made on September 2, 1896 (“Historical Review”, 2017). The beginning of the association was organized at Manhattan Beach Hotel, near New York City which was the 1st convention, (“Historical Review”, 2017). Nurses were not registered nurses because there was no licensing laws and they were from different alumnae associations drew the purpose of organizing a national professional association for nurses (“ANA History”, 2017). Finally, in 1911, the American Nurse Association was established (“ANA History”, 2017).

The Founders