About the National League for Nursing

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing as the nation's first nursing association serves as the leading voice for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. The NLN offers professional development, networking opportunities, assessment services, nursing research grants, and public policy advocacy for nearly 45,000 individual and over 1,000 institutional members. NLN members represent nursing education programs across the spectrum of higher education, health care organizations, and agencies.

Founded in 1893 as the American Society of Superintendents of Training Schools for Nurses, the National League for Nursing was the first nursing organization in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the NLN is led by a board of governors elected at large by the membership for three-year terms. The volunteer board chair works closely with the NLN's president and chief executive officer.

The National League for Nursing is a proud member of the Tri-Council for Nursing, an alliance of five autonomous nursing organizations each focused on leadership for education, practice, and research. While each organization has its own constituent membership and unique mission, they are united by common values and convene regularly for the purpose of dialogue and consensus building, to provide stewardship within the profession of nursing.

The National League for Nursing is one of the founding members of the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC). The NOBC represents national and state efforts by nurses and others working to build healthier communities. “Our mission is to improve the health of communities through the service of nurses on boards and other bodies. NOBC is committed to increasing nurses’ presence and influence on corporate, health-related, and other boards, panels, and commissions.”

The National League for Nursing is an organizational member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, for demonstrating an understanding of best practices in credentialing and how to incorporate them into daily activities and specific roles.