Michigan Nurses Association

The Michigan Nurses Association was founded in 1904. Its first goal was to lobby the state of Michigan to establish licensure for nurses.

In 1909, MNA's efforts resulted in the passage of the first Nursing Practice Act. During the years that followed, MNA worked to safeguard and promote the nursing profession and fought for the rights of nurses and their patients.

By 1958, MNA had created the Economic Security Program to address salary and benefits issues for nurses.

In 1965, collective bargaining efforts began through the MNESO Division of MNA, which later became the Economic & General Welfare Program.

MNA's largest collective bargaining unit, the University of Michigan Medical Center, was organized in 1975 and is still the largest single bargaining unit of nurses in the state.

During the 1980s, MNA assisted in rewriting the Public Health Code and was addressing a variety of issues such as third-party reimbursement for nurses in advanced practice, establishing a Political Action Committee (MNA-PAC) that currently ranks in the top 20 PACs in Michigan, and addressing the nursing shortage.

By 1990 MNA represented nurses in more than sixty bargaining units throughout the state. MNA continues to promote Nursing’s Agenda for Health Care Reform and the Health Professional Recovery Act.

The association helped rewrite the Michigan Mental Health Code and negotiated many landmark labor contracts providing unprecedented rights for nurses regarding staffing levels and patient safety.

In the early part of the 22nd century, the Michigan Nurses Foundation began and was awarded 501(c)3 status. MNA sought out collabrative partnerships, including affiliating with the Michigan AFL-CIO and helped develop the MNA-UAW Health Care Workplace Alliance. In 2004, the association celebrated its 100th anniversary.

MNA continues to increase its visibility as the one strong voice for nurses in Michigan. Through collective bargaining, legislative activity, and input into nursing practice, MNA continues to represent nursing interests as the largest nurses’ union in the State of Michigan.