The First 50 Years

Abstract

Nursing was still very young in this country when a few far-sighted leaders spurred the formation of what we know today as the American Nurses' Association. Lack of standardization in nurse training as well as the need for licensure laws to protect the public from poorly trained nurses were the first objectives of this new organization. This historical essay begins with those early efforts and leaders, and highlights the association's growth and deeds through the early part of this century, World War I, the depression, and World War II.