Aims

To establish a uniform standard of training for nurses midwives and health visitors.

Functions
To establish and monitor a uniform standard of nursing education for nurses midwife, Auxiliary Nurse- Midwives
and health visitors by doing inspection of the institutions.

To establish and monitor a uniform standard of nursing education for nurses midwife, Auxiliary Nurse- Midwives
and health visitors by doing inspection of the institutions.

To recognize the qualifications under section 10(2)(4) of the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947 for the purpose of
registration and employment in India and abroad.

To give approval for registration of Indian and Foreign Nurses possessing foreign qualification under section
11(2)(a) of the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947.

To prescribe minimum standards of education and training in various nursing programmes and prescribe the
syllabus & regulations for Nursing programms.

Power to withdraw the recognition of qualification under section 14 of the Act in case the institution fails to maintain
its standards under Section 14 (1)(b) that an institution recognised by a State Council for the training of nurses, midwives, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives or health visitors does not satisfy the requirements of the Council.

To advise the State Nursing Councils, Examining Boards, State Governments and Central Government in various
important items regarding Nursing Education in the Country.

To regulate the training policies and programmes in the field of Nursing. To recognise Institutions/Organisations/Universities imparting Masters Degree/ Bachelors Degree/P.G. Diploma/
Diploma/Certificate Courses in the field of Nursing.

To Recognise Degree/Diploma/Certificate awarded by Foreign Universities/ Institutions on reciprocal basis. To promote research in Nursing. To maintain Indian Nurses Register for registration of Nursing Personnel. Prescribe code of ethics and professional conduct. To improve the quality of nursing education.

Organizational Structure

President Vice-President Secretary Joint - Secretary Depty - Secretary Assistance - Secretary Office Staff

The Trained Nurses' Association of India (TNAI) The Association had its beginning in the Association of Nursing Superintendents which was founded in 1905, at Lucknow At the Annual Conference held in Bombay in 1908, a decision was taken to establish

Trained Nurses Association. The Association was inaugurated in 1909. In 1922, the Association of Nursing Superintendents and Trained Nurses Association were amalgamated and called The Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI). The Association has established within its jurisdiction the following organisations : Health Visitors League (1922) Midwives and Auxiliary Nurse-Midwives Association (1925) Student Nurses Association (1929-30). In 1974 the TNAI became a member of the Commonwealth Nurses Federation (CNF).

Establishment and Formation (TNAI) The Association had its beginning in the Association of Nursing Superintendents which was founded in 1905, at Lucknow. The organisation was composed of nine European Nurses holding administrative posts in hospitals. Like their counterparts in other countries, this small band of women was imbued with vision and a pioneering spirit. They saw the need to develop Nursing as a profession and also to provide a forum where professional Nurses could meet and plan to achieve these ends. The movement gathered momentum and soon Nurses, other than Nursing Superintendents, were seeking to share in: upholding in every way the dignity and honour of the Nursing profession; promoting a sense of esprit de corps among all Nurses; and enabling members to take counsel together on matters relating to their profession.

The Association of Nursing Superintendents, therefore, sought the help and co-operation of Nurses throughout the country. At the Annual Conference held in Bombay in 1908, a decision was taken to establish Trained Nurses Association. The Association was inaugurated in 1909. The two organisations shared the same officers until 1910 when, at the first Trained Nurses Association (TNA) Conference, held at Banaras (UP), the TNA members elected their own officers. In 1922, the Association of Nursing Superintendents and Trained Nurses Association were amalgamated and called The Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI). The Association has established within its jurisdiction the following organisations: Health Visitors League (1922) Midwives and Auxiliary Nurse-Midwives Association (1925) Student Nurses Association (1929-30)

In 1912 the TNAI got affiliated with the International Council of Nurses (ICN). The TNAI along with various responsibilities as a member had participated in the ICN Nursing Abroad Programme since 1950. Under this scheme a number of TNAI members had been placed in institutions abroad to obtain clinical experience on an "earn and learn" basis. A number of placements had been affected in Indian hospitals for Nurses from abroad. Professional visits were also arranged for Nurses visiting the country. However, due to paucity of funds it became difficult to pay the heavy subscription and TNAI stands disaffiliated from the ICN since May 1995. In 1974 the TNAI became a member of the Commonwealth Nurses Federation (CNF). The association with CNF has been fruitful in many ways. Mrs. Reena Bose, the first Vice President TNAI has taken over as President CNF as an uncontested candidate.

Strikes
Following is the text of the statement of TNAI Policy with Regard to Strikes by Nursesdiscussed at the TNAI Council Meeting in 1973 (and earlier) and approved by the Executive at the meetings at New Delhi in July 1976:

The Trained Nurses Association of India has for many years been greatly concerned about the economic welfare of Nurses and action which may be taken to negotiate for better benefits and working conditions for the profession. The following facts have emerged during this time: 1. The TNAI cannot be legally appointed as a negotiating body either at a local, state or national level- for the reasons: (a) Membership of the TNAI includes Nurses working not only in Government, but also in private and voluntary organisations and even in private practice; (b) The membership does not include a majority of Government employed Nurses. 2. The advice of the TNAI is listened to, with respect, and sometimes acted upon. But such advice is given on the initiative of the TNAI, but the TNAI does not have the right of representation in negotiations. 3. The TNAI as a national body can give a broad support to local or state organisations of Nurses. 4. The trend in society and industry in India is increasingly towards obtaining the right of redressing grievances through union activities and all too often through strikes, which, unfortunately, frequently become violent in nature. 5. Since Nurses are in need of help in solving both professional and personal problems in relation to their work, and because the TNAI cannot act as a negotiating body, there have been a rapidly increasing number of Government Nurses Service Association formed in various States. Many Nurses, however, have joined unions of paramedical workers, and even Fourth Class employees, where they lose their professional standing and are forced to abide by decisions including strike voted by non-Nurses and controlled by non-professional leaders. 6. While union activities and strikes may be necessary in industry and for other workers the method used can be dangerous and damaging to the society when used without safeguards to protect the clients (i.e. the public) in lifesaving professions such as Nursing and Medicine. A profession by definition is a body which controls its own activities and which must keep the welfare of its clients in mind at all times. 7. To move into the trend of union activities which seems to be necessary to better conditions for Nurses and at the same time, to maintain the dignity and standard of the Nursing profession we suggest the following policies:

(a) TNAI members should approach Union/State Governments and other employing agencies to form Grievances Committees, which should include representatives of various cadres of Nurses and employees in each hospital, block, or district. These Committees should solve all local problems, personal or professional, wherever possible. (b) A State level committee, including a TNAI representative, should be formed to act as arbitrator in cases referred to by the local Grievances Committee. (c) TNAI members should encourage and assist the organization and work of State Government NursesService Associations which will be recognized as negotiating bodies by the employers. A Nurse must be an active member of both TNAI and State Government NursesService Association. As TNAI members, Nurses may obtain information, assistance, advice and moral support from other States and the national TNAI for the Government NursesAssociation. (d) This is an essential step to prevent Nurses from joining other unions. (e) Where the State Government Nursesorganisations already exist, the TNAI should initiate dialogue with them, assure them of cooperation and assistance whenever their objectives are in line with those of the TNAI and create opportunities for joint activities and action through local and State Executive Committees. (f) Where any organisation is frankly anti-TNAI every effort should be made to clarify the reasons and misunderstandings which exist. If this fails and any TNAI member, who is an officer of the other organization and yet is obviously working against the TNAI, steps should be taken to suspend the member from the TNAI by the State Executive with the approval of the national TNAI Council. (g) The State Government Nurses Association and State Branch, TNAI, should agree that as a last resort where the issue involves the welfare of the members of the profession as a whole, or the improvement of Nursing services to the community, the TNAI members may support a strike action under the following conditions: Conditions under which a strike by Nurses may be approved or even carried out by TNAI Branches or local groups: 1. Where grievances exist, they should be thoroughly investigated by the Government NursesAssociation and reported to the local or State TNAI Executive. 2. The State Branch Executive, TNAI, should also know all facts regarding the situation and be satisfied that justice requires some action. 3. All possible approaches through legal efforts should be made to the authorities for correction of the situation. 4. If no action is taken by the authorities despite all efforts, the situation should be put before the members of the Government NursesAssociation for vote regarding strike. 5. At least two monthswarning should be given before the date set for the strike. 6. During the two monthsperiod the following actions should be carried out:

(a) Efforts to persuade the authorities should continue. (b) The public should be informed through the Press, etc: i) About the grievances of the Nurses stressing the ultimate effect on the care of patients and the public; ii) The efforts already made; iii) Assuring the public that in the event of the strike arrangement will be made to provide Nursing care for all seriously ill patients and emergency cases; iv) Asking for support from the press and public. (c) Plans should be made by the Government NursesAssociations and TNAI for the methods to be used in carrying out the strike, informing all members on what their action and behaviour should be as professional people. (d) The plan for providing emergency Nursing care should be carefully made and published. 7. It must be clearly understood that the TNAI and its members will not support any strike controlled or voted by any union, or organisation which includes employees other than Nurses. It must be planned, voted, and carried out with the above stipulations in a dignified manner and with the assurance that the public understands and will support the Nurses demands and that the Nurses will make every effort to prevent harm to patients which might be caused by the strike.