Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records: Nevada State Archives: Archives Month 2023

Archives Month 2023

In 2023, the Nevada State Nursing Board celebrated their 100th Anniversary and UNR's Orvis School of Nursing celebrated their 60th Anniversary. In recognition of the many extraordinary contributions that Nevada’s healthcare workers and educators make to the wellbeing of our communities, our celebration of Archives Month in Nevada focuses on archival records and collections that tell the story of nursing in our state.

The Nevada State Archives collaborated with the University of Nevada, Reno Special Collections and University Archives, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Special Collections & Archives, and the Nevada Historical Society to create the 2023 poster celebrating Nursing in Nevada. Funding to print and distribute the poster was provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Stop by the Nevada State Archives this month to learn more about the history of the Nevada Board of Nursing and view some of the original materials in-person.

Explore the History of Nursing in Nevada

Nevada Historical Society
Nevada Nurses' Association records
UNR Special Collections
History of the Orvis School of Nursing
UNR Special Collections
A biography of Marguerite H. Gosse who introduced the bill into the legislature that became the first Nevada state Nurse Practice Act, of 1923
UNLV Special Collections
Nevada Nurses Association Records (MS-00240)
UNLV Special Collections
University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Nursing Records (UA-00011)
Boulder City / Hoover Dam Museum
Online Photograph Collections. Many of the images feature nurses, hospitals, etc. Use the search bar in order to browse!

Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence

The Nevada State Board of Nursing (NSBN) celebrated its 100th anniversary in early 2023.

NSBN Magazine - 100th Anniversary
Read about the history of nursing in Nevada, fun facts about the NSBN, and a message from the NSBN Board President.

State Archives Nursing Collection

The Nevada State Archives house the historical records of the State of Nevada Board of Nursing. Contents include board meeting minutes, licensee card files, and the log book for licensed practical nurses and licensed registered nurses.

Board of Nursing Finding Aid
To learn more about the Archive's collection and read about the history of the board, please view our finding aid.

Nevada Nursing Board Meeting Minutes taken by Mary E. Evans at the board’s first meeting. April 16, 1923. Nevada State Board of Nursing Records. NvSA-000092. Nevada State Archives. Carson City, NV.

Mary E. Evans, Emma Springmeyer and Alice Craven were all appointed by Governor Scrugham "to act as the Nevada State Board for the examination and registration of Graduate Nurses." Mary E. Evans was the first nurse to be licensed in Nevada and the first president of the Board of Nurse Examiners, and the meeting minutes are in her handwriting and her signature is at the bottom.

Nevada Nursing Board Meeting Minutes (April 16, 1923)
Download the first meeting minutes here.

SAW-0237. Mayor Oran Gragson (Las Vegas), Mrs. Lubertha Johnson (Southern Nevada’s first Black Nurse), and Governor Grant Sawyer. Nevada Governor Grant Sawyer Records. NvSA-000026. Nevada State Archives. Carson City, NV.

To learn more about Lubertha Johnson, please contact the Nevada Women's History Project.