AAACN is proud to recognize the value of nursing certification with Certified Nurses Day. AAACN encourages nurses and health care professionals to join in the campaign to have March 19 officially declared as Certified Nurses Day. March 19 was chosen because it is the birthday of former ANA president Margretta "Gretta" Madden Styles, RN, EdD, FAAN. "Gretta" Styles is widely recognized as the "Mother of Nurse Credentialing." She was the architect of the first comprehensive study of nurse credentialing.