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AMSN History

Our Story

In 1990, the American Nurses Association conducted a survey regarding attitudes of nurses working in adult health areas toward membership in professional organizations.

The survey respondents said:
86% - there was no representative for medical-surgical nurses
82% - they were interested in exploring a membership organization for medical-surgical nurses

A proposal was created to develop an organization that would meet the rapidly changing needs of the medical-surgical nurse and be able to support education of the latest clinical trends. AMSN was born! This specialty group, formed by medical-surgical nurses, is a committed to achieving the highest level of clinical and professional performance that assures the public of the highest level of cost-effective, quality patient care by our membership.

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AMSN Steering Committee (Philadelphia, PA 1991)-Annette Levitt, MSN, RN, Beverly Ann McGuffin, MS, RN, Alice Poyss, PhD, RN, Cecelia Gatson Grindel, PhD, RN, Peggy Miller,  AMSN, RN, CS, Sally Brozenec, PhD, RN.

 

AMSN was formed to reach the "hidden and silent" heroes of tertiary care facilities – you!

Nursing has a rich past,and every nurse has a 'spark' that brought them to nursing. Look back on some of the sparks that got us to where we are as a profession, and learn about our AMSN founders' spark for a national association dedicated to medical-surgical nursing.

 

We’re proud of our history and are pleased to share a few selected highlights:

Milestones

 

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    1991

    The AMSN Steering Committee is formed.

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    1992

    Co-Founder Alice Poyss is inducted as the first president of AMSN during the First Annual Convention.

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    1993

    The MEDSURG Nursing Journal is created, with Marilyn Fetter serving as the first editor.

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    1994

    Co-Founder Cecelia Gatson Grindel assumes the presidency for the first time.

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    1999

    The AMSN website, medsurgnurse.org, is unveiled.

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    2000

    November 1 is established as "Med-Surg Nurses Day."

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    2001

    The Nurses Nurturing Nurses™ Mentoring Program is introduced.

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    2002

    A medical-surgical nursing certification exam task force is formed, and a blueprint is designed. AMSN News is renamed MedSurg Matters!

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    2003

    The first Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) exam is administered, and 702 nurses earn the credential.

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    2004

    The AMSN Research & Scholarship Fund of the Nursing Economic$ Foundation is established.

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    2005

    Cecelia Gatson Grindel, AMSN's second president, begins a second term as president of the association, becoming the only president to be elected to a second term.

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    2006

    The AMSN Foundation kicks off fundraising activities to match a $10,000 gift from Mike and Cece Grindel.

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    2007

    Medical-Surgical Nurses Week, November 1-7, is established.

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    2010

    "Compassion. Commitment. Connection." is introduced as the AMSN tagline.

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    2013

    The MSNCB FailSafe certification program is introduced.

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    2014

    AMSN collaborates with Dr. Marlene Kramer to recognize healthy practice environments in medical-surgical nursing units.

  •  

    2015

    The Clinical Leadership Development Program (CDLP) for clinical nurses at the bedside is developed. The CCCTM exam, the first certification for registered nurses primarily in a CCTM role, is launched.

  •  

    2016

    AMSN celebrates its 25th anniversary.

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    2017

    The AMSN PRISM Award® is established.

  •  

    2018

    The AMSN Legislative Advocacy program is launched.

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    2019

    The AMSN brand is updated, and a new logo is created.

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    2020

    AMSN hosts its first-ever virtual Annual Convention.

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    2021

    The Competency Framework is developed.

  •  

    2022

    AMSN hosts a hybrid Annual Convention and launches the Elevate Education Series, focusing on Behavioral Health, Clinical Leadership, and DEI.

  •  

    2024

    The Scope and Standards of Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice, 7th Edition is launched.

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    2025

    The official journal of AMSN, Advancing Medical-Surgical Nursing, developed in partnership with Elsevier, has officially launched.

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