- AANP News
To ensure its enduring availability to future generations of nurse practitioners (NPs), the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) History Committee is dedicated to gathering, curating and preserving information and artifacts related to the history of the NP role and the professional associations that support it. Our rich history paints a picture of the great successes that NPs have achieved and the invaluable contributions we have made to the health of our nation. Preserving documents on a state-by-state, national and international level and developing a database which identifies where historical information is stored or archived will increase access to this information and serve as inspiration for future successes. The AANP History Committee wants to encourage all researchers and NP organizations to participate by continually adding to our historical knowledge base.
Dr. Loretta Ford envisioned a better health care system. Along with Dr. Henry Silver, she developed the first NP program in 1965. At 102 years old in 2023, Ford continues to inspire! AANP is honored to pay tribute to a living legend. Her message and life will continue to motivate NPs for generations to come.
As NPs, our unique voice and perspective was a large part of the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife celebration!
This digital, visual collection shares the activities and experiences of real NPs and other advanced practice nurses (APNs), who are working both here in the U.S. and internationally. Reflect on 2020 by reading their stories, from serving on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic to supporting the development of APN roles and performing community service abroad. You'll soon see that all around the world, NPs are stepping up to deliver health care and health education.
NPs have an exciting story to tell, and so does AANP! It all began under an apple tree in Pennsylvania with a handful of visionary NPs. Explore AANP’s historical timeline to see what happened next.
This section is dedicated to the rich and unique NP history that each state boasts. Check back regularly for new featured states!
This section features a select interview of a promonent NP. All interviews were originally published in the FAANP Forum. Check back regularly for new featured interviews!
Please reference these helpful links and resources to see how you can get involved in NP history.
The AANP History Committee is searching for photographs, artifacts or repositories related to NPs, the NP role, AANP or other NP associations from the 1960s through the present day.
Some examples might include but are certainly not limited to:
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
History Committee
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