ICN - Definition of 'Nursing' & 'a Nurse'

Renewing the Definitions of
 'Nursing' and 'a Nurse'  

 Defining 'nursing' and 'a nurse' has always had a place in both theory and practice. This is one thing that can bridge the theory-practice gap, but still needs to be explained and made sense of. Especially when the values that underpin our definitions are challenged by social, political, physical and attitudinal change.

 

Of course see the report for the latest definitions. 

Previously:

'nursing' : 'nurse' : 'definition' :

Individual

|

      INTERPERSONAL    :     SCIENCES               

HUMANISTIC  --------------------------------------  MECHANISTIC      

 SOCIOLOGY  :    POLITICAL 

|

Group

PERSON-CENTRED CARE  Ack. Identity of Others Balance Subjective - Objective  Care for and Compensate for Emotional and Psychological Needs Knowledge and (Interpersonal) Skills Emotional labour, Compassion, Courage Self-Awareness - Competence (recognise limits), When/If stressed :: Act for Safety of All, Please See your Strengths too! Commitment Active Listening - Attention Mentor Students - Newly Qualified Nurses Philosophical stance Ethics & Values Exercise Emotional Literacy Collaborate when possible Supoport Self Care improve Health Literacy

PERSON-CENTRED CARE Care for and Compensate for Physical Needs  Skills and Knowledge of Sciences, Technology, Devices, treatments, drugs, procedures, processes Seek Evidence-based Care and Record Observational Acuity Situational Awareness Anticipate Needs Foster SELF CARE - 'See' Strengths, Recovery' - and PLANETARY HEALTH Be aware of Information Disorder Assure Parity of Esteem Document Care - Gather Data for Reporting/Research/Outcomes Consider Patient's/Individual's Journey - Health Career

PEOPLE-CENTRED - Inclusive Seeing Others and Promote Wellbeing of Colleagues inc. All Students/Newly Qualified Professionals Understand (your) Community  as Resource & needing Care Recognise Family - Friends but ensure Confidentiality Exercise Empathy & Rapport Seek Public Involvement Public Safety & Protection Maintain Professional Confidentiality See Person as a 'Whole' - Integrate Care Advocate for Social Justice Exercise Duty of Candour Seek Psychological Safety for all Team Work Relationally within/across  Communities of Practice - Foster Therapeutic Relationships Envision Patient at 'Home' in the Community - Seek re-housing placement as early as possible

SERVICE-CENTRED CARE Advocate for Equity, Equality in Access to Care and Universal Health Coverage Seek to Assure Safety of Self, Colleagues  & Public (1st Rule of 1st Aid) esp. in Conflict Environments - Refugees/Migrants Nursing - Profession - Registered Protected Occupational Title Seek Supervision & Feedback Manage Services Seek to Improve Quality - Monitor Policy Security of Care Environment, Data, Record, Confidentiality (Vigilance across the domains*) Practice as per Professional Standards,  Code of Conduct Ack./work to reduce impacts of ALL Determinants of Health to increase Sustainability Accountability - Transparency Continuing Professional Development Revalidation of Registration/Licensing Advocate for Future Generations - Humanity Population & Biospheric Health

*This is why nursing, being a nurse is 'emotional labour'.

Hodges' model can be embedded within the SPIRITUAL, as per cultural and situational context.

P.S. By the way, if anyone asks - you can just be 'a nurse'.

White, J., Gunn, M., Chiarella, M., Catton, H., Stewart, D., (2025). Renewing the Definitions of 'nursing' and 'a nurse'. Final project report, June 2025. International Council of Nurses.
https://www.icn.ch/resources/nursing-definitions/current-nursing-definitions