The International Council of Nurses (ICN) today announced the launch of its new vision. Concise and succinct, the new vision reflects ICN’s mission to represent nursing worldwide, advancing the profession and influencing health policy.

 

ICN’s Vision Statement

ICN represents the voice of nurses around the world. We influence health, social and economic policy at country, regional and global level through the sharing of evidence and best practice. 

 

ICN envisions a world in which human rights are respected and protected including the right of present and future populations to a safe, healthy and sustainable environment. We work in partnership and collaboration to advance the profession and improve the wellbeing of nurses and the health of populations everywhere and advocate for the respect of cultural values, customs and spiritual beliefs.

(Approved ICN Board, December 2016)

 

The vision is clear. 

ICN aims to be the recognised voice of nurses around the world. The world’s first and widest reaching international organisation for health professionals, and the first professional women’s organisation, ICN was founded in 1899 and works to ensure quality nursing care for all, sound health policies globally, the advancement of nursing knowledge, and the presence worldwide of a respected nursing profession and a competent and satisfied nursing workforce.

 

The launch of a new vision reflects ICN increasing influence on the development and implementation of global health policies, including the recommendations of the United Nations High Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth, the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Commenting on ICN’s new vision, Dr Frances Hughes, ICN’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “This is an exciting time for ICN. We are putting in place many new priority areas of work and changing the way we do things in order to better meet the needs of our members and the profession, as well as to meet the challenges of today. We are proud of our long history but we must also look to the future. 

 

Today, it is essential for ICN to play an even greater role in representing nurses at the highest policy levels to influence health, social and economic policy at all levels. The safety of patients and nurses in all settings is of paramount importance to our

work. 

 

Our new vision is of a world in which every person lives and works in a safe, healthy and sustainable environment.