Introduction: Since no significant efforts have been made in making a systematic study about history of nursing in Croatia, neither has the history of the Croatian
Nurses Association (CNA/HUMS) been systematized or fully described. In this paper, an attempt was made to reconstruct the way its name changed from 1927 to 1939
with reference to the historical context in which it operated.
Methods: The reconstruction of the data was based on the archival holdings and collections of the Croatian National Archives (HDA) and the State Archives in Zagreb
(DAZG), as well as documents stored in the CNA files. Also, the magazine published by the Association, collected oral testimonies of nurses, documentation kept in
private possession and the literature published on the subject have been additionally researched.
Results: By looking at the archives and reviewing the available publications, it was not possible to determine exact year in which the Graduate Nurses Organization
of the School for Nurses in Zagreb was founded. It can only be assumed that it was established between 1927 and 1929. The Yugoslav Union of Nursing Associations was
established on 6 June 1929 and was admitted to ICN (International Council of Nurses) the same year. The Union was likely to change its organizational structure at the
first congress that was held in Belgrade in 1930 and has since been called the Yugoslav Association of Graduate Nurses (JDDS). The Croatian Nurses Section was probably
called the Zagreb Section until 1934 and changed its name at the 4th Annual JDDS Assembly in Belgrade on May 20, 1934. The name of the Savska Banovina Section remained unchanged until the formation of the Banovina of Croatia. Then, on August 18th 1940 the nurses, in the area of the newly established Banovina, launched the
independent Association of Graduate Nurses of the Banovina of Croatia.
Conclusion: The establishment of the Graduate Nursing Organization of the School of Nursing in Zagreb was the beginning of a professional association of nurses in
Croatia. During the observed period, the development of the association can be monitored, regardless of changes in its nam
