About CANN

Our Objectives

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

Mission Statement

To represent a national voice committed to health and wellness of neonatal nurses, newborns and their families

Values

Knowledge 

Professional Practice

Ethics 

Our History

The 5th International Neonatal Nurses Conference (INNC) was held in Ottawa in May of 2004. At a meeting, Canadian participants at 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 from the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa became the first member of CANN/ACIIN.