The South Dakota Nurses’ Association (SDNA) was established on July 11, 1916, in Rapid City as the South Dakota State Association of Graduate Nurses, with Elizabeth Dryborough elected as its first president. Initially comprising just seventeen nurses, it became the 43rd constituent of the American Nurses Association. The association adopted its current name in 1929 and introduced a district-based organizational structure, later expanding to thirteen districts in 1957.

From its inception, SDNA has played a central role in advancing nursing standards and professional practice across South Dakota. Its earliest achievement was drafting and promoting the 1917 Nurse Practice Act, which established licensing standards and led to the formation of the South Dakota Board of Nursing. Since then, SDNA has consistently advocated for educational requirements, continuing education, and health care legislation. It has supported professional development through conventions, workshops, and its long-standing publication, The South Dakota Nurse.

The South Dakota Nurses Association exemplifies the foundational influence on nursing regulation and its ongoing leadership in shaping health care policy, education, and professional advancement for nurses in South Dakota.