Nephrology nursing a photographic story: 1949-1971

The theme of this special issue of the ANNA Journal commemorating 20 years as a professional organization is the growth and development of nephrology nursing. Certainly influencing who we are now is the growth in technology and medicine over the past 50 years and especially since 1950. But of equal or more importance in our development are the individual nephrology nursing leaders who pioneered our specialty practice. They exemplified professional practice in their visionary blending of technology and caring for patients and families. Nephrology nursing practice today is very much the result of their early work and mentoring. The photographs in this story and the anecdotes contributed to the Journal by a few of our pioneers add to our understanding of who we are today and make us proud to be a part of this unique area of professional nursing.