From eight pioneering nurses in a colonial-era ward, the SNA has grown into a national body representing over 4,650 members, tracing the profession’s evolution through its archives and leaders.
Each milestone is recorded as the Association documented it — minute books, journal articles, and the personal archives of past presidents.
Singapore’s nurses had no unified voice under colonial administration. On 18 July 1957, Miss Beatrice Mary Griffin and Miss Edna George founded the Singapore Trained Nurses Association — and within four years, joined the global nursing community.
STNA founded
Jul 1957
Officially registered
Aug 1958
Full ICN member, Melbourne
Apr 1961
Official badge adopted; first Patron
1962
Two decades of stepping into national and regional leadership — buying our first property, hosting the world, and starting the specialty chapters that still shape nursing practice today.
1972
First property at Kum Hing Court
1975
Singapore hosts ICN, 48 countries
1982
First ASPAN, 526 delegates
1986
First specialty chapters launched
In 1990 STNA became SNA, reflecting nursing’s growing professionalism. Membership grew from 100 to nearly 5,000, and in 1997 SNA House opened at 77 Maude Road — a home of our own.
Renamed Singapore Nurses Association
1990
SNA House at 77 Maude Road opens
Jul 1997
SARS Relief Fund co-founded
Mar 2003
Susie Kong elected CNF President
2005
A decade of partnerships and platforms — with the Singapore Red Cross, with NTUC, and culminating in Singapore hosting the largest gathering of nurses in our history.
Aug 2017
Training room opens; SRC MOU signed
Oct 2018
NTUC strategic partnership
Jun 2019
ICN Congress in Singapore
Through the pandemic and beyond, SNA stood with frontline nurses, signed a national volunteerism MOU, launched a mobile app, and completed a new SNA House — opening the next chapter.
SG Cares MOU with Minister Tong
Oct 2021
SNA Mobile App launched
Aug 2023
New SNA House completed
Aug 2025
To be continued...
History of SNA
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