History of the National League for Nursing
The history of the National League for Nursing began at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. Isabel Hampton, superintendent at the Johns Hopkins Training School in Baltimore, chaired a group of superintendents who set about laying the foundation for a new association, the American Society of Superintendents of Training Schools of Nursing. This was the first nurses association in the United States. In 1912 it would become the National League of Nursing Education, and in 1952 we became known as the National League for Nursing. The NLN’s rich history of leadership in nursing education is highlighted by extraordinary nurse leaders who accomplished reform and transformation of nursing and nursing education. These early pathfinders led with purpose and tenacity to co-create a transformative future for the NLN, for nursing education, and for the nursing profession.