Connecticut Nurses' Association

The Connecticut Nurses' Association is a professional organization of registered nurses in Connecticut and a member of the American Nurses' Association. Established in 1904 as the Graduate Nurses' Association of Connecticut, it joined with other state nursing associations in 1926 to become the Connecticut State Nurses' Association. The organization is now referred to as the Connecticut Nurses' Association with headquarters located in Meriden, Connecticut.

From the description of Connecticut Nurses' Association records, 1893-1996. (University of Connecticut). WorldCat record id: 45833886

The Connecticut Nurses' Association ( CNA ) is a professional organization of Registered Nurses in Connecticut and a member of the American Nurses' Association (ANA). CNA is an organization working to improve health standards and health care services for the people of Connecticut . It strives for high standards in nursing, professional development of nurses, promotes nursing research, and advances the economic and general welfare of nurses. This association began with a goal of enhancing the educational standards of graduate nurses of Connecticut and its goals have grown to encompass the entire nursing profession.

CNA was established in 1904 as the Graduate Nurses' Association of Connecticut (GNA) out of the Connecticut Training School . Its main objective was to draft and introduce into legislation a bill to regulate nursing practice in Connecticut . In July 1905, its goal was achieved and the bill became law as the Connecticut Nurse Practice Act. After the first World War, GNA formally supported the ANA's quest to provide rank for army nurses. This bill was passed in 1920 providing relative rank for army nurses. In October of 1926, a State Headquarters was established combining three state nursing associations, GNA, the State League of Nursing Education, and the State Organization for Public Health Nursing, under one roof as the Connecticut State Nurses' Association (CSNA). During the depression of the 1930s the CSNA offered its support and help to nurses in Connecticut . They created a Loan and Emergency Fund in 1932 which was used to help those unemployed nurses needing assistance. They also adopted a group disability plan for its members.

The CSNA was not only concerned with nursing issues but was also concerned with protecting the public it served. In 1939, CSNA sponsored legislation defining the practice of nursing and requiring nurses being hired to become licensed by a state board. Many revisions and amendments were made to the Nurse Practice Act to better the profession of nursing for the patients and the nurses. CSNA also helped to regulate and improve the work hours and salaries of Connecticut nurses.

CSNA is now referred to as the Connecticut Nurses' Association . It is broken down into six regional councils which are geographically consistent with the Congressional districts of Connecticut. Each of the councils report back to a central governing body. This governing body consists of the Board of Directors and delegates from each region. The main headquarters of the CNA is located in Meriden, Connecticut .

From the guide to the Connecticut Nurses' Association Records., 1893-1996., (Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center .)