History:

Nursing had developed along with mission hospitals when missionaries came from Australia, Canada, Europe and North America. In 1800, missionaries made efforts to address the issue of poverty, sickness and were moved with compassion seeing the misery of women. They established friendships by rendering home care, and visited Zenanas (hostels made for women) to provide care and comfort thereby giving a message of hope. Zenana bible and Medical Mission from England today’s Interserve, pioneered the medical ministry and nursing training in our country. As the medical care for the poor was most inadequate and inaccessible, simple training in medical work was offered to men and women. This was beginning of nursing training in mission hospitals. 

St. Stephens Hospital was founded in 1867 and similarly medical work by LMS started in Neyoor, South India in 1838. 

Milestones: 

1905: Association of Nursing Superintendents formed to strengthen nursing in mission hospitals. This was the first organized body of nurses.

1911: Christian Nurses felt the need for an organization of their own and the need to form Christian Nurses Association within each mission hospital. 

In 1931, the Nurses Auxiliary of Christian Medical Association of India was formed and became a part of CMAI. ‘Nursing News’, a newsletter for nurses was started. Health Visitors and midwives were allowed to join as associate members of the Nurses Auxiliary. Six branches of the Nurses Auxiliary of CMAI were set up in six provinces.

1932: Both the North of India United Board of Examiners for mission hospitals and  South India Board affiliated to Nurses Auxiliary as ‘Examining Board of Nurses Auxiliary of CMAI’

1936: Mid India Board of Examiners was affiliated to Nurses Auxiliary of CMAI. Nurses League was affiliated to India as a member of the Council.

1954: The North of India United Board of Examiners for Mission Hospitals and other Hospitals was dissolved. 

1964: Name of the Nurses Auxiliary changed to Christian Nurses League(CNL) ‘Christian Nurse’ became the official publication replacing ‘Nursing News’

1976: CNL was brought  into the parent body aof CMAIas one section of CMAI with an amalgamated constitution.

1980 : The Byelaws of the CNL were accepted with amendments as Byelaws of Nurses League of CMAI.

2001: NL initiated a scholarship fund called Manohari Sigamoni Scholarship to assist nurses with PG Studies.

Objectives:

• To encourage and promote spiritual fellowship.
• To ensure the highest standards of Nursing Education consistent with Christian principles, through the work of the Boards of Nursing Education.
• To promote quality nursing service in the total health care system.
• To promote nursing as a Christian vocation
• To participate with other sections of the CMAI in matters of common concern and interest.
• To assist Christian nurses and institutions in solving specific problems.
• To establish relationships when necessary and be involved with national and international nursing bodies/agencies. 

Membership:

Each Section criteria to be spelt out clearly for making Professionals and Students, Associate member details:

• Members: Full membership in the Nurses League shall be open to all registered Christian Nurses, Auxiliary Nurses, Midwives, Health Visitors and Midwives. 
• Student Members: All Christian Nursing students from recognised Schools of Nursing/Colleges of Nursing. Student Members shall not have votes at the General Meetings, nor can they hold office, but they may be present and take part in discussion. 

Nursing Education:

The first attempt to organize the systematic training of Nurses and their public examination was also made by the mission   hospitals in North India in 1872 in Delhi.  Missionary hospitals started training Indian girls as nursing assistants and as assistants in medical dispensaries. Although nursing training began as early as 1872 the certificates were issued by each hospital separately. With the Florence Nightingale model of the modern nursing, professional nursing era began in India. 

In 1907,  The North of India United Board of Examiners came into existence and introduced systematic training of nurses in mission hospitals and their services were extended to Government hospitals in Punjab, Lucknow and Patna. Handbook of Nursing compiled by North India Board was translated into Roman , Urdu, Hindi and Bengali. There were various other books published and translated into various languages.

In 1913 the ‘Central Board for Nursing Training Schools in South India’ was formed. This was later renamed as Board of Nursing Education (South India Branch) in 1975 and has also contributed immensely by producing textbooks for nurses in India.