History of the Licensed Practical Nurse Association of Nebraska

In 1949, the first class of Practical Nurses in Nebraska graduated from an approved program. Prior to that time the practical nurse was trained by a physician or through his or her own self-study of reading books on medicine. The first graduating class recognized the need to establish themselves as a profession and raise the standards of Practical Nursing through education, training, and eventually licensure. They banded together as a volunteer group and founded the Practical Nurse Association of Nebraska on July 18, 1950, utilizing their own money to cover expenses. At the same time, the foundations for the present concept of the practical nurse were being established with the input of this volunteer organization.

In 1955, the Board of Nursing was moved from under the Department of Education and established as an independent board by the Nebraska Legislature. In the same legislative session, examination, licensing, and regulations were approved for practical nurses thus establishing the Licensed Practical Nurse as a professional member of the health care team.

The name of the organization changed to the Licensed Practical Nurse Association of Nebraska (LPNAN) on October 1, 1956, at the convention. This organization was managed and governed by volunteer Licensed Practical Nurses. As the years progressed and with the increased demand on personal time, it became more difficult for the LPNs to manage their organization and stay an active and visible participant in the legislative and education provider arenas. In 1988, Nebraska Health Care Association became the management company for LPNAN.

LPNAN's organizational structure was based on Divisions being the local unit responding to the state organization. In 1997, LPNAN restructured the organization based on geographic locale and the number of LPNs within that area, thus creating the 14 Regions of the organization. Again, as volunteer time commitments to the organization decreased, LPNAN changed the regional structure from elected officers to a volunteer appointment to represent the region.

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