American Nurses Association facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | ANA |
|---|---|
| Founded | February 11–12, 1897 |
| Type | Nonprofit professional association |
| Legal status | 501(c)(6) |
| Purpose | To advance and promote the improvement of health standards and the standards of nursing and to stimulate and promote the professional development of nurses and advance their economic and general welfare. |
| Headquarters | Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S. |
| Loressa Cole | |
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President
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Jennifer Mensik Kennedy |
| Subsidiaries | American Nurses Foundation Inc (501(c)(3)), American Nurses Credentialing Center (501(c)(6)), American Academy of Nursing (501(c)(3)), Institute for Nursing Research and Education (501(c)(3)), ANA PAC (PAC) Nurse Marketplace Inc (For-profit), ANA Service Corporation Inc (For-profit), |
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Revenue (2017)
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$45,051,913 |
| Expenses (2017) | $48,000,366 |
| Endowment | $315,783 (2017) |
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Employees (2017)
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255 |
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Volunteers (2017)
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699 |
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Formerly called
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Nurses Associated Alumnae |
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is a group that works to support and protect the job of nursing. It started in 1896 as the Nurses Associated Alumnae. In 1911, its name was changed to the American Nurses Association. The ANA is based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Jennifer Mensik Kennedy is its current president.
The ANA believes that nursing is about protecting and improving health. It also focuses on preventing sickness and injury. Nurses help people feel better by understanding and treating their health problems. They also speak up for individuals, families, and communities.
Contents
History of the ANA
How it Started (1800s)
Plans for the Nurses Associated Alumnae of the United States of America began on September 2, 1896. This meeting happened at the Manhattan Beach Hotel near New York City. These plans were officially approved in Baltimore on February 11–12, 1897. This was during a meeting of another nursing group.
Isabel Hampton Robb was the first president of the ANA. An important early goal was to improve nursing care for American soldiers.
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) was created in 1899. Nursing groups from Great Britain, the ANA from the United States, and Germany were founding members. The very first ICN Congress was held in Buffalo, New York, in 1901.
Growing Stronger (1900s)
In 1947, the Ninth ICN Quadrennial Congress took place in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Over 5,000 people attended, representing 250,000 nurses from 32 countries. This meeting was a big step in rebuilding friendly international relationships in healthcare after the war. The ANA leadership organized everything, including finding places for attendees to stay. They also raised money to help with travel costs.
In 1970, Mattiedna Johnson spoke at an ANA meeting. She talked about how few African American nurses were represented in the organization. She felt this was a big problem. This led to the creation of the National Black Nurses Association in 1971.
What the ANA Does
Helping Nurses and Patients
The ANA is a professional group that represents registered nurses (RNs) across the United States. It does this through its 54 member associations. The ANA helps set rules for how nurses should practice. It also works to protect nurses' rights at work. The group aims to improve nurses' pay and overall well-being.
The ANA has shared its views on nurse-to-patient ratios. They have expressed "real concerns" about setting exact numbers for how many patients a nurse can care for. They believe this issue is complex.
The ANA also has three related organizations:
- The American Academy of Nursing: This group helps improve health policies and practices. They do this by creating and sharing nursing knowledge.
- The American Nurses Foundation: This is the charity part of the ANA. It raises money to support nursing.
- The American Nurses Credentialing Center: This group gives special certifications to nurses in their specific areas of nursing. It also recognizes healthcare places that show excellent nursing care.
Important People in the ANA
- Katharine Jane Densford: She was president from 1944 to 1948. During World War II, Densford spoke to Congress about getting more nurses for the war effort.
- Lavinia Dock: She was a nursing teacher, a public health supporter, an author, and someone who fought for women's right to vote.
- Mary Keys Gibson: She was involved in efforts to end segregation in 1948.
- Mary Eliza Mahoney: She was a founder of the former National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses in 1908.
- Helen Maria Roser: She was a nursing teacher. She worked for the ANA's Professional Counseling & Placement Service from 1945 to 1953.
- M. Elizabeth Shellabarger: She was president of the Wyoming State Nurses' Association.
- Vera Blanche Thomas: She was president of the Arizona State Nurses' Association from 1927 to 1928.
See also
- American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants
- American Nurses Association Hall of Fame
