TNA HISTORY

The formation of TNA in 1905 began with the drive to develop and pass a law to regulate nursing practice. The first bill was introduced in 1907, but was defeated. In 1909, a second attempt was made to pass a bill, and it was once again defeated. On February 14, 1911, after much tenacious lobbying by TNA members across Tennessee, the first nurse practice act became law.

Today, the nurse practice act regulates nursing and protects the public from unsafe nursing practice. The law includes a clear definition of professional nursing practice and the necessary educational qualifications a registered nurse must have in order to practice. It also outlines the criteria schools of nursing must meet in order to gain approval by the Board of Nursing to educate registered nurses. TNA continually advocates for changes to the nurse practice act to reflect the changing role of the registered nurse.