The History of PCNA

PCNA was originally founded as the Lipid Nurse Task Force (LNTF) in 1992 by a small group of California nurses who were concerned about the lack of educational opportunities for nursing professionals specializing in lipid disorders. LNTF was established shortly after an initial regional educational conference, and quickly grew beyond its California borders to become an international organization comprised of nurses and other health care professionals from the U.S. and several other countries.

In its early years, LNTF assigned its most prominent members with experience in lipid disorders to the organization’s Board of Directors. The LNTF Annual Symposium also grew from a small seminar to a renowned national conference. As LNTF expanded, its members broadened their focus from lipid disorders to global cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction. As a result, the organization changed its name from LNTF to the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA).

Today, PCNA is an international professional organization that impacts patient outcomes through evidence-based cardiovascular care.  PCNA’s mission includes developing and promoting nurses as leaders in this field and supporting comprehensive risk reduction strategies for individuals and populations across the lifespan.

Over the course of the last decade, PCNA has strategically pursued collaborative relationships with other professional organizations and industry partners where both sides embrace mutual goals and objectives. Today, PCNA is well-respected and represented on committees and boards such as the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, National Lipid Association, Southeastern Lipid Association, Nursing Knowledge International of Sigma Theta Tau International, WomenHeart, American Diabetes Association and many more.

PCNA currently maintains a national office in Madison, Wisconsin as well as chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada.