Founded on 28 February 1996, FPNL was born from a need expressed by Nurse Managers for a Forum that will take up and champion nurse leadership issues in the industry through an alliance between the public and private sectors.

With the aim of implementing solutions that will benefit nursing and promote the delivery of world-class healthcare. The Forum for Professional Nurse Leaders (FPNL) is committed to the sustained development of all South African Nurses through leadership interventions that foster co-operation and empowerment across all sectors of the nursing profession.

FPNL has steadily grown and has set up regional branches in Gauteng, Border, Western Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Free State / Northern Cape and Limpopo. The Executive Committee of FPNL consists of 5 members elected by the members at a general meeting every four years.