Leading the American Academy of Nursing: A historical review of the Presidents' words and actions on "rationality," inclusivity, and health policy, 1973 to 2023.

BACKGROUND: Little has been written about the history of the American Academy of Nursing (Academy). An examination of the association's origins, purpose, early goals, and leaders' words and accomplishments can illuminate the organization's role within the profession today.

PURPOSE: This paper begins the process of documenting the Academy's history. It focuses on the words and accomplishments of the Academy's Presidents, setting them within the social, political, economic, and health care context of the years between 1973 and 2023.

METHODS: Traditional historical methods with a social history framework.

DISCUSSION: Three themes emerged. These include the importance of "rationality" (later termed "scientific evidence") as the basis for practice; the critical need for cultural, racial, and ethnic inclusivity in the association; and the necessity of engaging all Academy Fellows and Expert Panels in the work of driving health care policy.

CONCLUSION: Understanding the association's history, beginning with an analysis of the Presidents' words and accomplishments is a first step in documenting the Academy's history.