More than 100 practical nurses of the St. Louis area met on May 24, 1948. Theirs was a high purpose of raising standards of the profession in which they were working. They knew the need for qualified practical nurses, who by being licensed, would gain the confidence of the public. For that reason they wanted to organize a statewide association to work toward their goal. On that date, the Missouri State Association of Practical Nurses was born. The association is a not-for-profit organization and is owned by its membership.
In April 1949, they introduced a bill providing for licensure to the Missouri General Assembly. The bill failed passage. The members were disappointed but not defeated. They worked hard and long recruiting new members and presented the bill two more times, before they were successful. Governor Phil Donnelly signed the Nurse Practice Act into law in 1953 and the Act included the Licensure Provision so long sought after by the Association.
In 1953, licensure of practical nurses became law. "Licensed" was added to the name of the association. The Missouri State Association of Licensed Practical Nurses, Inc., is the only full service professional organization in Missouri representing the state's 25,000 licensed practical nurses. The association's state headquarters office is located in Jefferson City, Missouri, for centralized management of MoSALPN's many activities and representing the LPN at government hearings and inquiries. We affiliate with all major health service groups and associations in the state. The "Broadcaster" is the official quarterly newsletter of the Association.