Our History

In line with the thrust of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) to organize nurses into various interest groups, the Philippine Nurses' Association (PNA) called on pediatric nurses to organize and take collective action to achieve common objectives. However, since pediatrics and obstetrics are closely interconnected, there was a recognized need to include obstetric nurses as part of the organization. This led to the establishment of the Maternal and Child Nurses Association of the Philippines, Inc. (MCNAP).

On November 27, 1980, the first general assembly of practicing maternal and child nurses was held. During this assembly, the first Constitution and By-Laws was approved, formally marking the birth of the specialty organization—the Maternal and Child Nurses Association of the Philippines, Inc. (MCNAP).

The primary goal of the organization was to provide a mechanism for the exchange of information related to issues affecting Maternal and Child Health Nursing practice.

On June 24, 1997, MCNAP was formally incorporated with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Since MCNAP resembled the name of another organization, the Maternal and Child Health Association of the Philippines (MCHAP), the SEC advised the association to change the word "Maternal" to "Mother." The official name of the organization is now the Mother and Child Nurses Association of the Philippines, Inc.