The first statements on functions were approved by ANA sections, marking the first step in the program of outlining functions, standards, and qualifications for nursing practice.
By 1954, all but one state nurses' association had changed their bylaws to ban discrimination in accordance with ANA's policy.
1955 The American Nurses' Foundation (ANF) is established as a separately incorporated ANA subsidiary.
The American College of Nurse Midwives was organized.
ANA's Board of Directors approved a definition of the practice of nursing designed to meet the purposes of licensing legislation.
Male nurses were first commissioned to the Army Nurse Corps.
1956 The first Public Health Nurse Award was bestowed upon Pearl McIver by the Public Health Nurses Section of the American Nurses Association at the ANA convention. The award recognized the outstanding professional contribution of one public health nurse and calls this achievement to the attention of members of the profession as well as the general public.
The ANA convention was held May 14 – 18 in Chicago, IL. Convention theme: “Working for America’s Health”.
Estimate of the number of professional nurses employed in nursing, 430,000.
1957 In January, 1957, the boards of directors of the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses and the American Nurses' Association approved a statement on the functions of the licensed practical nurse.
Nondiscrimination in minimum employment standards and in contracts was adopted as an economic security goal.
1958 ANA delegates voted to increase the annual dues from $5.00 to $7.50.
ANA's Professional Counseling and Placement Services (PC&PS) restricts its placement service to ANA membership.
ANA's House of Delegates endorsed health care as a right of all people and urged the extension of social security to include health insurance for beneficiaries of old age, survivors, and disability insurance.