NursingCenter is celebrating
Certified Nurses Day, which happens every year on March 19th. Why March 19th? It happens to be the birthday of the pioneer and inspiration behind nurse certification, Margretta "Gretta" Madden Styles, RN, EdD, FAAN.
While we would have been beyond thrilled and honored to interview this innovator in the nursing profession, sadly, Styles passed in 2005 after a long, successful life and career. We thought we would adjust our ‘Nurse on the Move’ blog to feature one of the top ‘Nurses Who Moved’ and truly shaped the profession.
Life and Education
Styles was born in Pennsylvania in 1930. She was married to her husband for 47 years, Reverend Douglas Styles, and the couple had three children.
Styles attended Juanita College and earned undergraduate degrees in biology and chemistry. She went on to Yale University to earn her master’s degree in nursing and then on to the University of Florida, where she earned her doctorate in education.
Nurse educator, author, and innovator
Styles started teaching as an associate professor in 1967 at Duke University and then moved on to become the dean of nursing at various universities, including University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Wayne State University in Detroit, and the University of California, San Francisco.
Styles campaigned and advocated for stricter certification requirements and credentialing standards for nurses. She wrote at great length on this topic and later helped to create the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Her influence on refining the nursing profession in the U.S., extended internationally, and, for a time, Styles also served as president of the International Council of Nurses.
While her legacy will always be tied to her role in the creation of the ANCC, her impact on the nursing profession is still widely prevalent. She is often quoted and referenced in medical publications and has had many awards and grants named in her honor. Styles was also inducted into the American Nurses Association hall of fame.
And, of course, the profession will continue to honor Styles’ work and accomplishments on her birthday every March 19th for Certified Nurses Day.
Happy Birthday, Gretta and Happy Certified Nurses Day! Be sure to check our
Certified Nurses Day page on March 19th for lots of great resources and deals to honor this special day.
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