National Black Nurses Association facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | NBNA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1971 |
| Founder | Betty Smith Williams |
| Founded at | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Type | Organization |
| Purpose | Promoting African American women in the profession of nursing |
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Membership (2020)
|
200,000 |
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Main organ
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Journal of the NBNA |
The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) is an important group for nurses. It was started in 1971 in Cleveland, Ohio. The NBNA works to support and promote African American women in the field of nursing. It officially became an organization on September 2, 1972.
Contents
How the NBNA Started
The idea for the National Black Nurses Association came about in 1970. About 200 African-American nurses were at a big meeting called the American Nurses Association (ANA) Convention. They suggested forming a new group just for Black nurses.
After that meeting, several nurses gathered at Doctor Mary Harper's home in Cleveland, Ohio. They wanted to plan how to create this new organization. The group officially formed in December 1971.
Key Founders and Leaders
Betty Smith Williams was the nurse who suggested the name "National Black Nurses Association." She helped start the group. Another co-founder was Mattiedna Johnson. The first president of the NBNA was Doctor Lauranne Sams. In 1972, the organization was officially recognized. By 1991, the NBNA had 51 local groups, called chapters, all over the United States. Betty Smith Williams later served as president from 1995 to 1999.
What the NBNA Does
The main goal of the NBNA is to make health better for Black people. This includes people in the United States, Canada, the Eastern Caribbean, and Africa. They also work to create more chances for African Americans in nursing education and leadership roles.
NBNA's Mission
The NBNA's official mission is to bring Black nurses together. They want to work as a team to:
- Look into the health needs of African Americans.
- Speak up for these health needs.
- Make sure African Americans can get health care that is as good as, or better than, the care others receive.
Advocating for Nurses and Communities
Since 1988, the NBNA has hosted an event called "NBNA Day on Capitol Hill." At this event, nursing experts meet to discuss how to support the nursing profession. They also talk about how to help their communities get better health care.
The NBNA also has its own official magazine. It is called the Journal of the NBNA.
Membership and Chapters
As of 2024, the NBNA has grown a lot! There are now about 308,000 members. The organization also has 111 chapters across different areas.
