ALSN was established in 1970 as the Council on Graduate Education for Administration in Nursing as a formal organization dedicated to collegial relationships and intellectual exchange among nurse educators whose focus was nursing administration at the graduate level. ALSN has now evolved to an organization with over 200 members We have expanded our focus to reflect our member profiles. Our diverse membership includes advanced practice nurses in leadership, education, research, and those fostering an entrepreneurial spirit. Our mission and vision are grounded in the commitment to advance leadership science providing evidence to improve quality outcomes for all those served. Hence the association name change from the Council on Graduate Education for Administration in Nursing, to the "Association for Leadership Science in Nursing."

Through its many on-going activities, webinars, conferences, JONA journal articles and scholarly recognition awards, ALSN claims a wide span of influence on nursing leadership research.