White cotton arm band, with 'STATE REGISTERED NURSE' printed in black, no maker, place or date made marked

State Registered Nurses (SRN) were set up in England and Wales with the Nurses Registration Act 1919 and campaigned for by the Royal College of Nursing. Formal nurse training, examination and registration were regulated by the newly formed General Nursing Council. To obtain a uniform the SRN nurse had to have a permit issued by the GNC. Opened on 30 September 1921, qualified nurses had to pay a fee to be registered.

From 1925 onwards, the only nurses who could register were those that had trained and passed examinations at a school approved by the Council. Nurses also had to be over 21 years of age. This formal training, examination and professional qualification improved the status of nurses.

From 2013, all new nurses are required to hold a degree-level qualification and apprenticeships are also available. Since 2002, all new nurses with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.