AAACN is proud to recognize the value of nursing certification with Certified Nurses Day. AAACN encourages nurses and health care professionals to join in the campaign to have March 19 officially declared as Certified Nurses Day. March 19 was chosen because it is the birthday of former ANA president Margretta "Gretta" Madden Styles, RN, EdD, FAAN. "Gretta" Styles is widely recognized as the "Mother of Nurse Credentialing." She was the architect of the first comprehensive study of nurse credentialing.

By providing greater recognition of board certified nurses, with a nationally recognized day to honor them, we hope to encourage greater numbers of nurses to make the commitment to become certified. Our goal now is to receive Federal recognition of this day. By signing this petition we affirm our support for this effort and request the support of Congress and other agencies and institutions that may assist in bringing this initiative to fruition.

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