In response to changes in health care systems around the world, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has updated the definitions of the terms "nurse" and "nursing." The official translation of these documents - commissioned by the Supreme Council of Nurses and Midwives - is now available and is an important reference for the professional community in Poland.
International Council of Nurses revises definitions of nurse and nursing
Published July 10, 2025 07:22
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New ICN definitions: a response to the changing world of healthcare
In June 2025, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) published new, updated definitions of the terms "nurse" and "nursing." This is in response to the dynamic changes in health care, the increasing complexity of tasks performed by nurses and midwives, and the need to take into account the diverse cultural, social and systemic contexts in which care professionals work.
At the initiative of the Supreme Council of Nurses and Midwives and at the request of the President of the Supreme Council of Nurses and Midwives, an official translation of these documents - made by a sworn translator - was prepared. The new definitions not only reflect the changes that have taken place in the nursing profession, but also set the direction for the further development of nursing practice globally.
Who is a nurse according to the ICN?
The new definition makes it clear that a nurse is not just a medical practitioner, but first and foremost a professional with sound scientific training, technical competence and well-established professional ethics. Nursing practice is regulated, with standards and codes of ethics as its foundation.
Nurses promote health, prevent disease, alleviate suffering and support patients at every stage of life - from birth to end-of-life care. They act both independently and in interdisciplinary teams, basing their decisions on scientific evidence. They build therapeutic relationships based on respect and cultural sensitivity.
In addition, nurses take an active role in managing services, educating, conducting research, implementing innovations and influencing health policy-making to improve health outcomes for populations.
What is nursing?
According to the ICN, nursing is a profession dedicated to realizing everyone's right to achieve the highest possible level of health. Nursing practice is a team effort, patient-centered, culturally safe, and grounded in values such as social justice, compassion and responsibility for the future of humanity.
Nursing is not just about providing care - it's also about managing health care systems, caring for public health, promoting an environment conducive to health and ensuring continuity of care. Scientific knowledge, technical skills, ethics and the quality of the relationship with the patient are crucial.
Source: NIPIP
