The BNA is a Professional Nurses Association and the second of its kind in the commonwealth Caribbean. It is recognised by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) as the duly representative National Nurses Association for Nurses in Barbados since 1957.

The BNA obtained trade union status in 1990 and has a Trade Union (SEW & Industrial Relations) Department. The BNA is a founding member of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB). It negotiates with government under the umbrella of CTUSAB for terms and conditions of service for its members. The BNA meets with the Ministry of Health and the management of various institutions to discuss and agree on terms and conditions of service for its members, as well as other areas of concern to the members.

The management of the BNA is guided by the by-laws which are set out in the Constitution. The management structure of the BNA comprises the Executive Committee elected by the members and made up of 8 officers, 2 floor members, 5 Chairmen of committees and the Immediate Past President. These Executive Members with the exception of the Immediate Past President are elected every two years.

The Constitution is the final authority on the governance and management of the BNA. The Executive shall decide on any matter not addressed in the constitution, and the decision shall be binding on the members. The Executive Committee shall seek to canvass wide member opinions before making its decision on those matters. The Constitution makes provision for addressing vacancies, if occurring at times other than at elections. The structure provides for a potential 20 member Executive Committee to conduct the business of the BNA. An Administrative Officer and an Assistant administers the secretariat. A firm of Chartered Accountants audits the Association’s financial accounting annually.