Biography

The Iowa League for Nursing (ILN) is a constituent league of the National League for Nursing, Inc. (NLN). The NLN was formed in 1952 through the merger of seven established national nursing groups, the oldest of which, the National League of Nursing Education, had been in operation since 1893. Since its inception the NLN has had one goal: "to assist in meeting the health care needs of the people." Its membership includes registered and licensed practical nurses, educators, physicians, therapists, and hospital administrators. The national league, as well as its constituent leagues, has pursued its primary objective by offering non-degree continuing education programs and workshops, advocating standardized education and accreditation for nursing schools, and increasing community support and recognition for nursing as a profession.

The Iowa League for Nursing (ILN) maintains parallel goals and objectives to its parent organization. The ILN's efforts have included active participation in community planning and action for health care, advocating changes such as home health care. The organization made efforts to assure the continuing supply of nurses by providing them with the educational opportunities to reach their maximum career potential, ability to move into management and leadership positions, and promoting a greater public appreciation of nursing as a profession.

The ILN maintains a cooperative relationship with the Iowa Association of Nursing Students, supports a scholarship program, and grants complimentary memberships to nursing students. The League also participates in a regional network of leagues and is active in providing high-quality, low-cost programs and workshops throughout the state. These address a wide range of topics from spinal cord injuries and adolescent pregnancy to ethical issues in nursing, the effect of health care legislation in Iowa, and collective bargaining.

The Iowa League for Nursing (ILN) changed its name to the Iowa Citizens' League for Nursing (ICLN) in 1969 in order to emphasize "that this is a community organization." The name change was approved at the May 27, 1969 board meeting and adopted at the December 2, 1969 annual meeting and the organization started using its new name in January of 1970.

The ICLN changed its name back to Iowa League for Nursing in 1979 "as a way to better represent the group." In 1978 and 1979 records show that the group began to use the old name (Iowa League for Nursing) on a regular basis. The name was officially changed at the September 21, 1979 annual meeting when the members voted to change the by-laws and return to the name Iowa League for Nursing.

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