Preserving our legacy, sharing moments today, and promoting our future.






Presidents Corner

Greetings from the NNCA President

Pat Kenney

March 2023

Three years ago, in March 2020 we started the COVID-19 journey. It is hard to believe how much the world has changed since that nasty virus hit our shores. January 2020, I was getting ready to sail on a Caribbean cruise. Just before I sailed, Christine Boltz called and asked if I was willing to accept a position on the NNCA board. I accepted and told my friends, What a great way to start the year! Little did I know what was around the corner - SARS-CoV-2, the lockdowns, masks, supply shortages, so much suffering and so many deaths. Angry words and dissension. At times it seemed like everyone was fighting and it was safer, physically and emotionally, to stay home, avoid socializing and let our connections with friends and colleagues lapse.


NNCA is a great way to maintain the social connections we made in the Navy and reconnect with shipmates. Serving on the Board during COVID-19 has been a way to maintain those important social ties connections. The links I have to the Navy and the Nurse Corps are some of the intangible ties that enrich my life.  Read more 


Membership Information

New Member Recruitment Initiative: we are thrilled to announce that the NNCA Board of Directors has approved a one-year free membership for any NEW applicant members.

Our Mission: NNCA is dedicated to preserving the rich history and traditions of the Navy Nurse Corps. We accomplish this through networking and facilitating mentorship opportunities, advancing military nursing, and advocating for the conservation of Nurse Corps memorabilia.

Are you a current, former, or retired Navy nurse who served on active duty or in the Navy Reserve?  Are you proud of your service to our country?   Do you wish to preserve the rich traditions that began in 1908 with the establishment of the Navy Nurse Corps, then please consider joining us.  

Apply at NNCA.org.  

There is a link to the paper application on the homepage - click Get Involved/Members at Large.  New members can also use the online application along with a request to ExecDir@nnca.org for the complimentary membership.


Scholarship Opportunities


WMANNCA 2023 Scholarships:  The WMANNCA (Washington Metro Area Navy Nurse Corps Association) 2023 Scholarship Program has closed.  Watch this space for information on 2024 scholarships. New information will be posted in November 2023.


NWNNCA 2023 Scholarships: The Northwest Navy Nurse Corps is offering a one-time $1500.00 scholarship to a student in a program leading to a bachelor's degree in nursing.  The student must be attending a school accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing (CCNE) and anticipate graduation between December 2023 and August 2024.  The student should choose the application specific to your degree pathway (Pre-licensure BSN, RN to BSN, or Accelerated BSN) and submit the completed application to the Chair of the Scholarship Committee no later than 20 June 2023.


Events


  • March 29, 2023: National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Many events and ceremonies are happening across the Nation to mark the 50th Anniversary of the end of America's involvement in the Vietnam war in 1973.
    For more information, go to: vietnamwar50th.com
  • May 11-13, 2023:  WELCOME HOME! A Nation Honors our Vietnam Veterans and their Families, The National Mall, Washington, D.C.
  • May 13, 2023:  USS LENAH SUTCLIFF HIGBEE (DDG-123), the Navys newest Aegis Guided Missile Destroyer will be commissioned in Key West, FL. Click here to learn more.



Memorabilia Program

Beginning in 1987, NNCA housed the Memorabilia Collection at the Memorabilia Center in Port Orchard, Washington.  In 2014, the NNCA Board of Directors decided to relocate the Memorabilia and Oral History Collections to History Associates Incorporateds storage facility in Rockville, Maryland, for long-term storage and management.

NNCA Chapter members and NNCA members-at-large within each Chapter catchment area are requested to contact the corresponding Chapter Memorabilia Representative for assistance with donating items to the Memorabilia collection.  Read more


Oral History Project

The Oral History Collection is comprised of audio and video recordings and associated documentation relating to interviewed Nurse Corps Officers.  The first recordings date back to 1989, when Doris M. Sterner began collecting and managing the oral histories of Navy Nurses as research for her book, In and Out of Harms Way.  Click here if you would like to conduct or participate in an Oral History interview.


Warrior Canine Connection


WCC is a non-profit in Boyds, MD that trains mobility service dogs for wounded veterans and names their dogs after fallen or inspiring service members.  Each puppy trained will bring awareness to the inspiring service of their namesake while helping to heal the invisible wounds of recovering warriors.  Anyone can nominate a namesake and the submission process is easy.  Read More