The first editor-in-chief was Alice Bicknell, although she was supplanted by a small editorial board in the journal's second year.

[1] This editorial board continued their oversight until 1981, at which time SLACK Incorporated became the journal's publisher and assigned Margaret Carnine as its editor.

[1] As of September 2018[update], the editor-in-chief is Amy J. Barton, PhD, and the associate editor is Teri A. Murray, PhD.

[2] In 2002, the journal increased from nine issues per year to 12.

[1] The following persons have been or are editor-in-chief of the Journal of Nursing Education: