Dr. Anita Deodhar President, TNAI		Mrs. Evelyn P. Kannan Secretary-General, TNAI

THE TRAINED NURSES ASSOCIATIO N OF INDIA (TNAI)

The Voice of Indian Nurses,

Embarking upon New Frontiers

The Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI) founded in 1908, in its 109 year history  has carved out a distinct, enviable niche in healthcare sector. With a membership base of about 4 lakh that includes practicing nurses, nurse administrators, nurse educators, ANMs, LHVs and nursing students, it is unequivocally admitted as voice of Indian nurses. Together with its network in 32 States/ UTs, TNAI has been significantly contributing towards ‘Health for All’ and other national health targets and programmes of Government of India addressing the current issues. The Association is registered under Societies Registration Act. Approved by Government of India as a service organisation way back in 1950.

At TNAI we always believe that the ultimate nursing mandate of bringing succour to the patients and others in need can be fulfilled more effectively by (i) empowering nurses through education, training and skilling them in emerging, advanced healthcare technologies, and (ii) promoting & supporting their professional and socio-economic interest.

Working towards attainment of Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are perceived as blueprint to address the basic issues of hunger, poverty, education, health, etc. the world confronts today. SDGs 3, 4, 8 and 16 are particularly relevant to TNAI, as these are  related to Good Health & Well Being; Quality Education; Decent Work and Economic Growth; and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, respectively. In its own way, TNAI has been contributing consistently towards SDG goals sought to be achieved by 2030.

Quality Education (SDG 4)

TNAI has a long history of being engaged in quality of Nursing Education in fact TNAI is instrumental in establishing the system of formal education in India. To mention some of the measures undertaken by us in past: in 1926 its efforts resulted in establishment of State Nurses and Midwives Council in Chennai; in 1933 TNAI constituted an Education Committee and requested Government universities to initiate degree courses in nursing and post diploma courses for specialties; in 1946, TNAI was instrumental in establishment of Nursing Colleges in the country. Its endeavors led to formation of Indian Nursing Council, and the Act to this effect came into being on 1947. The vast pool of nurses with expertise on various nursing specialties render tangible contribution to syllabi, evaluation and monitoring of nursing education in various States and UTs in nursing institutions and universities having Nursing Education departments.

The long history of publishing landmark textbooks and other literature apart, TNAI brings out two periodicals, the bi-monthly academic The Nursing Journal of India and the mass-circulated monthly TNAI Bulletin that keeps all the members updated on events, activities and plans of TNAI.

Workshops and meets are being regularly conducted by TNAI since 1984 on various aspects of nursing and midwifery with accent on child and maternal health under Continuous Education Programme (CEP) unit. The National  biennial Student Nurses  Association   (SNA)  and TNAI conferences held in different States each time on a select theme help professional interactions by member nurses  and student nurses on massive scale. Since January 2015, TNAI established National Skill Lab (Daksh) with the support of Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MHFW), Government of India contributing significantly to the country-wide Skill India programme. The skill training is given to the Nurses and Doctors.

Indian Medical Association and TNAI agreed that nurses and doctors should act in unison in areas of health programmes, research and publication for achieving the health targets

TNAI in collaboration with Association of Women’s health Obstetric & Neonatal Nurses is being seen as an important initiative furthering the advancement of country’s nurses. it is an Evidence  Based Guideline on neonatal Skin care specially applicable as per Indian context.

TNAI is in the process of establishing high fidelity simulation lab to conduct the American Heart Association approved courses to impart experiential learning through simulation effects patient care, health and safety.

Most of these CNE programmes are now held at spacious premises of TNAI’s Central Institute of Nursing & Research (CIN&R) in Greater Noida (UP).

Services for Senior Citizen

TNAI established Day Care Centre for Elderly at Greater Noida the prestigious twin institutions were inaugurated by former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam on 2 July 2012 where we organise regular health camps and various programmes for the elderly.

The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi  Kendra at  TNAI’ Day  care Center for Elderly  is in process. The  key initiative for opening a Jan Aushadi store is to ensure availability of quality  and generic medicines at affordable prices  to the beneficiaries of elderly Day care centre and the local residents  of  Greater Noida.

Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)

Securing welfare of nurses, whether practicing or in-service, has ever been a major concern of TNAI. In the Memoranda submitted to Government of India about the suggestive pay scales and facilities for successive Central Pay Commissions, an important task assigned to TNAI, due care was taken that nurses at various levels are not discriminated or unfairly dealt with taking into cognizance the tough duties performed by them.

Respecting the principle of equality for democratic functioning of any system, the Association has been striving to establish parity of compensation for equivalent jobs performed.  TNAI passed position Statement on Equal Pay for Equal Work in 2014.  The principle of Equal Pay for Equal Work be adopted by all the employers (Govt. & PVT. SECTORS) and nurses having the same qualifications and job Profile be given uniform pay scale and same remuneration throughout the country.

In 2015, after receipt of complaints from some quarters regarding low salaries being paid to nurses in almost all the States across in India, the TNAI took the lead by filing writ petition in Supreme Court. Consequently, the apex court issued necessary advice to MHFW for fact finding through constitution of a Committee for further follow up. TNAI is committed to pursuing the issue so that the nurses do not continue to suffer by being deprived of appropriate salaries in keeping with set norms. The Association also approaches State for appropriate intervention and corrective measures whenever instances of anomaly, ill treatment or injustice to nurses are brought to the notice of TNAI.

Emergence as Recruitment Agent

In pursuance of Association’s objective of promoting and protecting the economic welfare of Nurses and providing professional counselling and placement service for Nurses, as enunciated in its Constitution, Rules & Regulation and Bye-Laws, thereby providing a safe, fair mechanism to the Nurses in increasing numbers seeking employment in the country or abroad, and preventing Nurses from exploitative and unethical practices of certain unscrupulous agencies operating in this area, the TNAI ventured into the new activity of serving as an accredited placement/ emigration agency. We are happy to announce that TNAI has obtained permission from Protector General of Emigrants, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to serve as the recruiting agent. With this, the nurses looking for new jobs outside the country can feel comfortable at nominal charges as fixed by MEA.

The TNAI was instrumental in starting the “Florence Nightingale National Award” for nurses in 1971. President of India confers the National Florence Nightingale awards to 35 nursing personnel across the country for their outstanding performance every year on 12 May.

TNAI offers scholarships to the economically weaker and meritorious nursing students to pursue the professional education.

At TNAI we attribute our success to the pooled strength of our members, their commitment to the profession and loyalty to the health goals of the nation. We are proud to say that we continue to grow.

Nurses constitute as backbone of the health services, render hard and arduous services across the length and breadth of the country, many of them in far flung locations. A nurse’s status in social structure has direct impact on the health services outcomes. It is the time their actual performance and contribution are duly acknowledged by one and all.