There was also progress on another front. In early 1947, a group of graduates from the previous ward attendant training program in North Battleford met to discuss the establishment of a professional organization for its members. W. J. Vowles was the prime mover in this effort to help psychiatric nurses obtain recognition for their training and their status.²⁴ In April, 1947, on behalf of Mr. Vowles and other graduate psychiatric nurses, Lloyd A. Gardiner from the United Civil Servants of Canada, corresponded with Morris C. Shumiatcher, Counsel in the Premier's office, regarding a proposed Bill for incorporation of a psychiatric nurses association.²⁵ Shumiatcher responded

I am of the opinion that the proper way for the psychiatric nurses to proceed if they wish to organize themselves into a professional organization is to draft a statute along the lines suggested by existing Acts. This should be discussed with the officials of the Department of Public Health in order that they may approve of the principle. Steps should then be taken to submit the matter to the cabinet together with a petition that a statute be enacted incorporating psychiatric nurses into a Psychiatric Nurses' Association . . .²⁶

Using the Registered Nurses Act as a model, Vowles made revisions, came up with a draft Act regarding the Psychiatric Nurses' Association, and forwarded it to Shumiatcher on June 10, 1947.²⁷ After a number of revisions the draft bill was forwarded to T. C. Douglas who on January 22, 1948 suggested, 'In all probability it will have to be brought in as a private member's bill. I am quite sure however, that Alex Connon would be willing to introduce it once it has been properly checked.²⁸ 'According to Vowles' records, Alex Connon, Member of the Legislative Assembly for the Battlefords, agreed to present it as a private member's bill.²⁹ 'The bill was to be placed before the Laws Committee in February, 1948 and I was informed that the Saskatchewan Registered Nursing Association (SRNA) had indicated opposition to both it and the use of the term 'nurse'.'³⁰ The day the Laws Committee met, the registered nurses were there in full force. Vowles, himself, argued the case for the psychiatric nurses.³¹In the end, the Committee accepted the bill, and with its passage by the Legislature and Royal Assent on March 25, 1948, the Saskatchewan Psychiatric Nurses' Association became a reality. Following incorporation, by-laws were drawn up and tabled in the legislature giving recognition to the graduates, the first psychiatric nurses in Canada to receive professional status.³²

The next era spans from 1948 to the end of the 1950s. The first order of business for the SPNA was to establish its structure. Organized structure within the SPNA began with the formation of the 'Seat of Council'. Council consisted of five members who met regularly and dealt with the day-to-day business of the Association. The President, Secretary and Treasurer were elected from among these members. A first and second vice-president were elected, usually from the two larger centers, North Battleford and Weyburn. However, the Vice-Presidents were not involved in the Executive decision-making process to any extent. From 1948 to 1960 the Seat of Council was located in North Battleford. Branches of the SPNA were formed in North Battleford and Weyburn in 1948, Moose Jaw in 1955 and Saskatoon in 1960.³³

Another important order of business for the SPNA was to promote itself to psychiatric nurses working at both hospitals. A membership fee of two dollars was levied. Nurses showed some reluctance to pay the fee, but the SPNA was satisfied with the 280 members it enrolled by April 1950.³⁴

Another important project was the development of a seal to represent the SPNA. On April 9, 1948 a pattern for the SPNA seal was presented to Council. According to the minutes of the meeting, 'It was unanimously approved and admired.' It was moved by Jack Hoskins, seconded by Mr. McNeill, that a rubber stamp following the pattern presented be used as the official seal of the Association.³⁵

The SPNA also proceeded to seek affiliation with Psychiatric Nursing Associations from other provinces. On February 26, 1950, the SPNA received a letter from the British Columbia Psychiatric Nurses' Association regarding formation of a national organization. The SPNA agreed to cooperate and become part of the new national group.³⁶ The foundation of a national psychiatric nurses' association was laid on June 17, 1950 when a meeting of Council members was held in North Battleford with W. Pritchard from the British Columbia Association. The gathering discussed the aims and purposes of the two Associations and explored ways of cooperation for mutual benefit. It was planned to form the Canadian Council of Psychiatric Nurses (CCPN) to set standards and policies for all psychiatric nurses, and to combat common problems. Shortly after, The Psychiatric Nurse, forerunner of the Canadian Journal of Psychiatric Nursing, was published and included a proposed constitution for the national Council.³⁷

The draft constitution outlined the aims and objectives of the CCPN which were to act as a central governing body with a view to:

1. aspiring to a uniformity in procedure, practice and standards in psychiatric nursing
2. co-ordinating the activities of provincial associations of psychiatric nurses
3. allowing for policy-making representation for affiliated organizations
4. providing for national recognition on a professional level for those engaged in the nursing care of the mentally ill
5. lending strength through mutual support in the organization and establishment of local and provincial groups
6. encouraging an active interest in modern trends and attitudes.³⁸

The entire draft constitution was subsequently edited and adopted. The new organization was determined to grow even stronger with the addition of an Alberta and a Manitoba Psychiatric Nurses' Association in the short term and others further east in the longer term.

By 1951, there were some improvements in the Saskatchewan mental hospitals. Mr. Jones, writing in The Psychiatric Nurse, stated that
The staff ratio is being steadily increased, treatment facilities are being made more readily available and training programs evaluated in conformity with the changing scene. 'objectives of the SPNA are aimed at bringing about a closer cooperation of the mental hospital nursing staff and stimulating a more active interest in the care and treatment of the mentally ill. We have set the standards and are prepared to accept the challenge as an integral part of a growing profession.³⁹