• Promote the art and science of neonatal nursing
  
  
• Provide opportunity for neonatal nurses to share knowledge, experiences and ideas with other health care providers both nationally and internationally
  
  
• Participate in provincial, federal and international health care decision making and policy development regarding the care of newborns and their families
  
  
• Promote knowledge translation for effective and innovative approach to neonatal nursing practice and changes in health policy
  
  
• Advocate for neonatal nurses regarding quality of work life issues
  
  
• Develop neonatal nursing scope of practice, standards of care, guidelines, and benchmarks to maintain professional competency and accountability

The 5th International Neonatal Nurses Conference (INNC) was held in Ottawa in May of 2004. At a meeting, Canadian participants of the conference re-established their interest in forming a Canadian association to represent and unite neonatal nurses in Canada. A small group of volunteers from members of the conference organizing committee and representatives from various parts of the country formed the interim board.

The group consisted of Kathy Cunningham, Barb Czerniawski, Pat O’Flaherty, Nancy O’Neill and Shahirose Premji. Their mandate was to develop, incorporate and launch the Canadian Association of Neonatal Nurses/Association canadienne des infirmières et infirmiers en néonatologie (CANN/ACIIN). Seed funding for the development of CANN/ACIIN was acquired from the 5th INNC. The organization was incorporated on May 1, 2006, and the Canadian Association of Neonatal Nurses was officially launched on July 11, 2006. Sandra Dunn, RN, BNSc, MEd, MScN, PhD (c) from the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa became the first member of CANN/ACIIN.

2011

• In July, CANN/ACIIN celebrated its 5 year anniversary and reached 250 members.
• In February, CANN/ACIIN hosted its 3rd National Conference in Calgary, Alberta – over 175 delegates from across Canada and abroad attended.

2010

• CANN/ACIIN hosted its 2nd National Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
• In December, CANN/ACIIN enrolled its 200th member.

2009

• CANN/ACIIN hosted its first National Conference in Montreal, Quebec.
• In July, CANN/ACIIN enrolled its 150th member.

2008

• CANN/ACIIN held its 2nd Annual General Meeting in Edmonton, Alberta.

2007

• On May 24, 2007, in Ancaster, Ontario, CANN/ACIIN held its first Annual General Meeting. At this meeting, Dr. Shahirose Premji was voted in as the first President of the Association. By May 2007, CANN/ACIIN had 89 members, representing 7 provinces.
• In November 2007, CANN/ACIIN enrolled its 100th member.
• In December 2007, CANN/ACIIN became an Associate Member of the Canadian Nurses Association and an Affiliate Organization Member of the Council of International Neonatal Nurses (COINN).

2006

• On July 11, 2006, the Canadian Association of Neonatal Nurses is officially launched.

2005

• In December 2005, CANN/ACIIN became an emerging group member of the Canadian Nurses    Association.

2004

• On May 14, 2004, Bob Chiarelli, Mayor of Ottawa declared May 14th Neonatal Nursing Day in recognition of the care neonatal nurses provide to neonates and their families.