about us :: Trained Nurses' Association of India (TNAI)

About us : Establishment and Formation

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The Trained Nurses' Association of India (TNAI)
The Association had its beginning in the Association of Nursing Superintendents which was founded in 1905, at Lucknow
At the Annual Conference held in Bombay in 1908, a decision was taken to establish Trained Nurses’ Association. The Association was inaugurated in 1909.
In 1922, the Association of Nursing Superintendents and Trained Nurses’ Association were amalgamated and called The Trained Nurses’ Association of India (TNAI).
The Association has established within its jurisdiction the following organisations : Health Visitors’ League (1922) Midwives and Auxiliary Nurse-Midwives Association (1925) Student Nurses Association (1929-30).
In 1974 the TNAI became a member of the Commonwealth Nurses Federation (CNF).

Establishment and Formation (TNAI)

The Association had its beginning in the Association of Nursing Superintendents which was founded in 1905, at Lucknow. The organisation was composed of nine European Nurses holding administrative posts in hospitals.

Like their counterparts in other countries, this small band of women was imbued with vision and a pioneering spirit. They saw the need to develop Nursing as a profession and also to provide a forum where professional Nurses could meet and plan to achieve these ends. The movement gathered momentum and soon Nurses, other than Nursing Superintendents, were seeking to share in:

upholding in every way the dignity and honour of the Nursing profession;
promoting a sense of esprit de corps among all Nurses; and
enabling members to take counsel together on matters relating to their profession.

The Association of Nursing Superintendents, therefore, sought the help and co-operation of Nurses throughout the country. At the Annual Conference held in Bombay in 1908, a decision was taken to establish Trained Nurses’ Association. The Association was inaugurated in 1909. The two organisations shared the same officers until 1910 when, at the first Trained Nurses’ Association (TNA) Conference, held at Banaras (UP), the TNA members elected their own officers.

In 1922, the Association of Nursing Superintendents and Trained Nurses’ Association were amalgamated and called The Trained Nurses’ Association of India (TNAI).

The Association has established within its jurisdiction the following organisations:

Health Visitors’ League (1922)
Midwives and Auxiliary Nurse-Midwives Association (1925)
Student Nurses Association (1929-30)

In 1912 the TNAI got affiliated with the International Council of Nurses (ICN). The TNAI along with various responsibilities as a member had participated in the ICN Nursing Abroad Programme since 1950. Under this scheme a number of TNAI members had been placed in institutions abroad to obtain clinical experience on an "earn and learn" basis. A number of placements had been effected in Indian hospitals for Nurses from abroad. Professional visits were also arranged for Nurses visiting the country.

However, due to paucity of funds it became difficult to pay the heavy subscription and TNAI stands disaffiliated from the ICN since May 1995.

In 1974 the TNAI became a member of the Commonwealth Nurses Federation (CNF). The association with CNF has been fruitful in many ways. Mrs. Reena Bose, the first Vice President TNAI has taken over as President CNF as an uncontested candidate.