The National Association of Indian Nurses of America (NAINA), an ethnic minority nursing organization in the United States (US), represents first-generation immigrant nurses, second-generation nurses, and nursing students of Indian origin and heritage. NAINA was established with the goal of uniting all Indian nurses with one voice to increase visibility, within the professional arena, and to rejuvenate their unique cultural heritage and values. These values are embedded within their professional expertise and are assets to be utilized effectively in providing culturally competent care to the increasingly diverse populations within the evolving healthcare system.

The history of professional Indian nursing in the United States began with the migration of nurses in the early 1970s and 1980s. Those who migrated during this period had to overcome a multitude of challenges and crossed many unforeseen barriers in starting their new lives in this land of opportunities. Many early immigrants sacrificed their professional aspirations and goals for their family.

Over the years, through hard work, dedication, perseverance and higher education, Indian nurses have proven their professional ability and succeeded in attaining key leadership roles in almost all fields in nursing. Though we succeeded in our personal and professional lives, we were not very successful in uniting our unique nursing causes and challenges under one professional body. Our nurses remained passive and let others solve our nursing challenges. Unlike many other ethnic minority nurses In this country, we were not very successful In organizing a national nursing association for decades. The few brave ones who tried to unite or to initiate changes were unsuccessful in sustaining initial successes due to lack of support and commitment from fellow nurses, families and the community at large.