CANPD, originally called the Chicago Area Nursing Staff Development Organization (CANSDO), is a cumulative effort of many individuals in nursing professional development dating back to the 1980's.  

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In the early 2000's, Advocate Lutheran General Staff Development listed with the National Nursing Staff Development Organization (NNSDO), now called the Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD), as the Chicago affiliate.  In 2007, the Resurrection Health Care Education Council contacted NNSDO to start the process of establishing a Chicago Area Nursing Staff Development Organization.  The Advocate group and the Lutheran group worked together to establish one diverse Chicago-land organization.  

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The first meeting at West Suburban Hospital in January of 2007 yielded an attendance of 45 professionals in nursing staff development.  The group was diverse and included participants from Advocate Health Care, Cook County Hospital, Northwestern Memorial, Resurrection Healthcare, Shriners, the University of Illinois.  

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During 2007, the organization began to establish itself; committees were formed for nomination of Board members, a Membership Committee was established, and bylaws were written.  The first election of Board members occurred in May of 2008.  

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In December of 2009, as the CANSDO website construction began, NNSDO accepted CANSDO as their Chicago-land affiliate.  Finally, in 2012 when NNSDO changed their name to ANPD, CANSDO followed suit and became CANPD the Chicago Association for Nursing Professional Development.