History of NCNA

The North Carolina Nurses Association has been the voice for North Carolina’s registered nurses since its founding in 1902 by a group of nurses under the leadership of Mary Lewis Wyche. The association’s first objective was the pursuit of the Nursing Practice Act, which made North Carolina the first state in the nation to legalize the registration of nurses after its passage in 1903.

Members of the North Carolina Nurses Association continue to be recognized nationally for having a significant impact on the profession and for advancing quality care in a variety of practice settings. NCNA leads the charge in the quest to keep North Carolina nurses on the cutting edge of nursing policy, education, practice and more.

NCNA is proud to be the only nursing association in the state that represents all of North Carolina’s Registered Nurses.