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

'International Nurse's Day' 2025 - c/o The RCN

'Today is International Nurses’ Day – a day to highlight and celebrate the incredible skill, dedication and impact of nursing.

Nursing staff like you bring so much to those you care for each day. You are there for people during their best and worst moments. You change lives every day, despite our profession facing considerable challenges.

Nursing is highly skilled and rooted in excellence. That’s why patients place their trust in you when they’re at their most vulnerable.

We see the resilience and strength it takes to do this complex, safety-critical work. So today – and every day – we say thank you.'

Text c/o The RCN and video:

Also with RCN Congress starting today ...

Nursing Now: Triple Impact Report

"The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a federation of more than 130 national nurses’ associations representing the millions of nurses worldwide. Operated by nurses and leading nursing internationally, ICN works to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally.

Nursing Now is a three-year global campaign run in collaboration with the International Council of Nurses and the World Health Organization. It is based on the findings of the Triple Impact report, which concluded that as well as improving health globally, empowering nurses would contribute to improved gender equality – as the vast majority of nurses are still women – and build stronger economies.

The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of the World Health Organization, which determines its policies, appoints its Director General and approves and oversees its budget."

https://www.icn.ch/news/international-council-nurses-and-nursing-now-welcome-2020-international-year-nurse-and-midwife

INDIVIDUAL

|

INTER-PERSONAL : SCIENCES

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

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL

|

GROUP

Empowering nurses  as individual (and collective)  practitioners will ...	... improve Health Globally ...
... improve gender equality	... and build stronger economies.

"Luke, you switched off your targetting computer on International Nurses Day. What's wrong?"

I suggested the number blog posts would slow years ago and yet they've kept coming and there's a bank of drafts sitting in the backend. Whether the quality reflects that location I'm not sure, but hopefully there's more to me than putting content together.

By definition person centred care (student centred...) demands targetting AND measurement of some sort: attitudinal, evidenced, cognitive, engagement, choice, policy, outcomes...

Since April 2006 this blog has served as a personal targetting computer of sorts.

I've a few posts to follow on the Networked Learning Conference (another great community and Croatia 2018 next!), but things will slow here as Drupal beckons plus writing for papers and conferences.

ICN 2016 - NURSES: A FORCE FOR CHANGE: IMPROVING HEALTH SYSTEMS' RESILIENCE

Image source:
https://imgflip.com/

Conferences and studies (what's the date?!)

I don't know about 21.12.12 being a date of note. 12.12.12 has brought another addition to a string of  disappointing conjunctions this past week.

I posted in the summer - here - about the ICN Congress in Melbourne next May. My submission did not make it, being placed on the reserve list. If this journey was going to happen then I would need to make arrangements now. So a desire to visit Australia and share Hodges' model with the ICN community and possibly some academic centers there will have to wait for another time. The original idea of a symposium would have been marvellous, so perhaps there are partnerships still to be forged.

Next up: another possible speaking opportunity for April, admittedly provisional has not been confirmed. Quite a disappointment this as I would have repeated a workshop approach I've used.

And finally ... finding an avenue to study Hodges' model at a postgraduate level (part time PhD) is proving far from straightforward. I knew this would be the case, so I will continue to refine my preparations and make further enquiries and applications.

As this year comes to a close I'm pleased to have done the presentations to date. Great experiences and communities all. I understand that the preoccupations with the Mayan calendar and the end of the World are mistaken. It is the start of a new calendar - a new age. That (always) sounds good to me.

ICN Congress in Australia 2013: a symposium - you, me and another nursing colleague?

I posted previously about the aspiration of visiting Australia and presenting at the International Council of Nursing 25th Quadrennial Congress next May.


Instead of opting for a 15 minute concurrent session I am wondering about the possibility of collaborating with two other speakers to prepare a symposium session of 80 minutes. Copied below is a *draft* abstract that could be adapted to include and reflect other speaker’s motivations and interests. The word limit is 250 including title and author details. It would be marvellous not only to present h2cm at the ICN, but sharing the challenge to produce a presentation that is coherent and informs nursing theory and practice today and tomorrow.

The deadline for abstracts is 14th September so if this is going to happen it needs to be very soon; otherwise I will submit an abstract for a 15 minute session.

If you are interested please get in touch. There may be points I have missed, for example I plan on staying for three weeks. If you have a place I can stay with a teaching opportunity I'd be very grateful for your support and the teaching/learning opportunity. Please spread the word...

I know this approach is unorthodox, but this is 2012. If this does not happen next year there may be other opportunities. Thanks for listening...

Draft abstract:

A global health care model for the challenges of twenty-first century care and self-efficacy

You?, me & presenter three?

Nursing is a discipline and profession with global aspirations in terms of supporting health for all. Professional recognition of nursing has in part been gained through the development of nursing theory and models of nursing. This presentation argues the need for a global, generic conceptual framework that has relevance for all nurses and citizens. While there is a marked variation - often for good reason - in nursing curricula having a common framework can provide a foundational standard, a conceptual basis for nursing that can serve as a common currency for dialogue.

Hodges' model, a conceptual framework created in the mid 1980s is the focus. This symposium is presented in three parts. Firstly, the characteristics of the model including its structure, content and original purposes are explained. Secondly, the model is demonstrated by mapping the themes of this congress. This exercise utilises the model’s knowledge domains, namely sciences, sociology, politics, interpersonal and spiritual. Finally, a critique is provided. As I seek to listen to patients, why should you listen? What does a 1980s model of nursing offer to professionals in the 20th century? Where do the values of nursing reside in what is yet another model of care, and how can this model affirm the positive aspects of nursing, global health care, well-being and self efficacy? What directions are there for further research? Additional resources will be signposted.

Image source: http://www.ausbird.com/

[HIFA2015] International Nurses Day, May 12 "Closing the gap: From evidence to action"

Dear Colleagues / collaborators,

Nurses worldwide under the umbrella of the International Council of Nurses celebrates the International Nurses Day yearly on May 12. This is to pay tribute to the millions of men and women who put their lives to the service of humanity, in accordance with convention 149 of the ILO (Nursing Personnel Convention) passed in 1997. This celebration however has not yet gained the recognition it should, for how can one explain the fact that this day may even go by unnoticed in some countries, or are we therefore saying it is not worth it and why is this day not even a public holiday like for other professional groups.

I find it hard to believe that until now on this forum no one could think of it, when the celebration is due in barely 36 hours. I understand the delicate nature of health jobs, but this should not be an excuse for not paying tribute where is it due. I know this day should be meant for reflection among nurses and seeking for ways to improve nursing services. This will not happen in isolation, for nurses need the political will and inter sectoral collaboration to do their job effectively, shape a better future for the next generation of nurses consonant with current stakes.

This year, nurses are deliberating on the theme 'closing the gap: From evidence to action'. This topic is quite elaborate and needs lots of considerations both within and without the influence of nurses. Understanding evidence-based practice, seeking for sources of evidence, making the appropriate case for change and moving from evidence to action is the cycle in which nurses hope to reflect as they celebrate this year. Nurses will need new skills and expertise to deal with their clients in today's changing and challenging health environment. This is why this forum is of vital importance and I will continue to thank the team behind it. Nursing training programs may be subject to revision, expanding the legal and professional limits of practice while maintaining strict regulatory sanctions. This increased autonomy will enable nurses take up new functions within the confines of their practice and help in meeting the health needs of our population and not acting as physician substitutes or mini-doctors.

Therefore, I wish all nurses a happy celebration, calling on them to use the very rich celebration kit from the ICN, easily downloadable from their website, www.icn.ch, and share among themselves in all settings where nurses live and work. It is our day and we should be happy and honoured for the services we offer to the six billion people on earth, since nurses form the bulk of health care providers and work in remote areas in all countries.

In Cameroon, thousands of nurses from all the ten regions, shall be meeting in the economic capital Douala between June 14 to 16, to brainstorm on the activities. This event is usually opened by the Minister of Public health or his representative, various scientific presentations, round table conferences and other important activities grace the event and concluded by a closing ceremony during which important decisions taken are communicated to participants.

Tita Pale Isa Ndognjem, BSc, RN
Public Relation officer, Cameroon Nurses Association
2012 Fellow, Commonwealth Nurses Federation
paleisa AT yahoo.com 

Additional link:

C149 Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977
Convention concerning Employment and Conditions of Work and Life of Nursing Personnel (Note: Date of coming into force: 11:07:1979.) 
 
My source: HIFA2015

International Nurses Day - Closing the gap: My Project for a Global Conceptual Framework for Nursing

As International Nurses Day is celebrated tomorrow on the 12th May the emphasis and work here at W2tQ lies with Hodges' model. The project is to publicise h2cm's international potential in providing an avenue to help unify nursing theory, practice and assure future research.

Fawcett wrote of the metaparadigm of nursing - namely the inclusion of the concepts of person; environment; health; and nursing.

These concepts are incorporated into Fawcett's criteria on model validation which are listed in bold-italic below.

I have also ventured some reflections on the current status of h2cm when compared against these criteria.

Assumptions underlying the conceptual model are made explicit.

It is not sufficient, but the structure of Hodges' model renders the assumptions within the model explicit. The structure identifies eight initial key concepts:

INDIVIDUAL, GROUP (population); HUMANISTIC, MECHANISTIC; SCIENCES, POLITICS, SOCIOLOGY, INTERPERSONAL

A complete description of all four concepts of nursing's metaparadigm are presented.

Reflection soon reveals that several environments are suggested:

PHYSICAL, ORGANISATION, COMMUNITY, HOME, RESIDENCES, DWELLINGS, COGNITIVE (conceptual), SYMBOLIC, ABSTRACT, VIRTUAL, FORUMS, COLLEGES

Propositions of the conceptual model completely link the four meta-paradigm concepts. 

This is feasible, reasoning from the foundation of the model's structure.

The internal structure of the conceptual model is logically congruent.

This does need to be demonstrated. Initial recognition of logical congruence might be found through the conjoining of disciplines, that is frequently taken for granted: PSYCHO-SOCIAL; SOCIO-TECHNICAL; SOCIO-ECONOMIC.

The conceptual model is socially congruent, socially significant, and socially useful.

I have claimed on numerous occasions that the model is agnostic, universal, accessible, and has educational potential. These and other qualities need to be critically examined.

Empirical evidence in support of the model has accumulated from many derived theories.

The two final criteria are the most challenging. Empirical evidence supporting Hodges' model is available, but again must be tested through research. If someone has time - could you please compare the frequency of a set of political concepts in the nursing literature since 1985?* The emergence of health literacy and self-efficacy, threshold concepts, conceptual spaces, the rise of the semantic web and developments in software can all potentially support h2cm. Producing a roll-call of some of the latest trends in contemporary education, research and culture is not good enough, specific studies are needed.

The total contribution of the conceptual model to nursing knowledge. 

There is a long, long way to go, but the contribution has begun ... every journey ...

Of course, it is almost 20 years since publication of Fawcett's criteria. Has the concept of congruence changed in that time? What is socially significant and useful now? What should the social and political weighting of evaluative criteria be in 2012...? There is a body of critique upon Fawcett's and other evaluative tools within nurse education.

Perhaps a new set of criteria could be defined using h2cm itself? For a model of nursing (health and social care) to be fit for purpose, acceptable and viable across the globe, there are new concepts to be represented. While that would certainly close a gap, it does not seem a rigorous or valid way to proceed. I will seek out other more recent criteria and present them here at some point.

Fawcett J. Analysis and Evaluation of Conceptual Models of Nursing, 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: FA Davis; 1995.

*Many thanks - if someone should pick this up, which ever axes, concept or issue.

25th Int. Council of Nurses (ICN) 25th Quadrennial Congress: Equity and access to health care (seeking co-presenters & sponsors)

Copied below is news about the 2013 International Council of Nursing Congress. There are lots of details to follow including the cost of registration. The call for abstracts invites submissions - in ONLY ONE of the following categories:

• Concurrent session: A paper 15 minutes in length.
• Symposium: An 80 minute session with a minimum of three speakers presenting on a single theme from different perspectives. Speakers presenting a symposium must submit a single joint abstract.
• Poster: A visual presentation for display on a poster board.

I plan to submit an abstract but wonder if anyone reading this would be interested in a symposium presentation?

We would each cover our own expenses and so to this end I am now saving, seeking prospective financial support and sponsorship! I would of course be pleased to work with co-presenters in applying h2cm to their work and would relish the opportunity of learning from others.

As per the single joint abstract, the symposium would demonstrate Hodges' model in three nursing disciplines / care contexts, each related to the Congress theme:

Equity and access to health care

If you are interested in this possible adventure please get in touch h2cmng at yahoo.co.uk and then we can explore this further. I am especially interested to work with a student nurse and nursing colleagues working / teaching in a development context.

In February 2011 on the visit to Colombia I came my closest ever - within five degrees - of the equator. Australia would be an amazing journey not only because I have family there, but if in addition to furthering knowledge of Hodges' model I can share the experience with readers.

[This submission was unsuccessful.]

Many thanks
Peter J. @h2cm

Online abstract submission now open for the

2013 ICN Congress

Geneva, Switzerland, 16 April 2012 - The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is pleased to announce the opening of online abstract submission for its 25th Quadrennial Congress and CNR in Melbourne, Australia. Equity and access to health care is the theme of the conference, which will take place from 18-23 May 2013. Instructions for the submission of abstracts and details on the themes to be addressed can be accessed at .... ICN invites nurses and others around the world to share their ideas, research and expertise by submitting abstracts for the scientific programme. The deadline for abstract submission is

14 September 2012.

ICN is in the final stages of developing a rich four-day scientific programme, offering four plenary sessions, including a debate, and 18 main sessions with 54 international speakers confirmed to date. Key subjects for plenary and main sessions include gender equity, the epidemic of non-communicable diseases, the tension between personal and societal responsibility for health, wellness and prevention, the nursing workforce, ethics/human rights, clinical care and patient safety. The Council of National Representatives, ICN’s global governing body, will also convene in Melbourne just prior to the Congress, from 16-19 May 2013.

Key dates for the ICN 25^th Quadrennial Congress and CNR

•      16 April 2012 - Online submission of abstracts opens
•      14 September 2012 - Online abstract submission closes (midnight CET)
•      14 September 2012 - Registration opens
•      1 December 2012 – Notification of abstract acceptance
•      11 January 2013 – Registration deadline for abstract presenters
•      14 February 2013 - Early bird registration closes (midnight CET).

To keep up with all the latest information on the Congress programme and related events, visit the Congress website ...

Drupal musings 12: Semantic Web, ICNP, Case studies and Care domains

Drupalcon 2010 Copenhagen is over for me. It's been a really useful week: awesome indeed. My head is dizzy with all the options, sources and resources to consider. I will contact the London Drupalcon group for 2011 with some suggestions regards beginners, networking and outreach.

Ever since setting off on the Drupal road, the semantic web has been a constant item of street furniture. In Szeged '08, Paris last year and this past week in Copenhagen the semantic web, RDF and terminologies have had a pivotal presence. I did not attend all the rdf / SW sessions but Wednesday's Semantic Terminologies was sit on the floor popular (even though at that point the program hit a bottleneck from 6 to 3 streams). Whatever the cause - I was there, late and my pivot ached (no padding!).

As a Drupal 7 prelude I'm creating a Drupal 6 site, a basic homepage for someone. The content for the latter is fixed - sorted. Apart from the pages for the archive, the new h2cm content involves me figuring out how to combine:

1. the health career model;
2. nursing - in theory and practice;
3. external sources and resources;
4. and Drupal.

Johannes Wehner's terminology session above did not emphasize RDF, but highlighted Open Linked Data by means of Open Calais as a tool to extend existing content. I've downloaded the Drupal OC module and obtained a key.

As for the list: #1 The health career model is straight forward really. Four care domains - get on with it! From there though it is quite a reach to encompass #2 & #3. My options appear to be:

• free tagging, auto tagging - let the users of the site decide;
• pre-define a data set, a terminology (classification) for the health career model;
• use an existing nursing classification / terminology scheme - perhaps a subset.

Before I decide I need to be aware of what is available. I e-mailed Derek Hoy in Scotland - contact for the International Classification for Nursing Practice® [ICNP]. This is another thing I pick up, put down. ... Now thanks to Derek I'm sorted now with ICNP downloaded (and I will need a module to import .csv files). There are videos on the ICNP website.

I have followed the development of nursing terminologies for quite some time. The most striking thing to me is how removed they are from the day-to-night life on wards and other care encounter situations. With mental health as a Cinderella in terms of the politics and recognition of nursing service provision I am in effect professionally twice removed. For the vast majority of nurses on the ground and from where I work in community mental health the ICNP, SNOMED CT, Omaha and other schemes are rather esoteric things. They are there in the background, part of management and reporting 'function'. This is not to say that the above initiatives have few followers, or lacks experts in this field. Make no mistake nursing has its own geeks, nursing classification its experts!

The scope of ICNP makes it a great candidate (from the website) -

Diagnosis/outcome

Interventions

Individual 7 axes

1. focus
2. action
3. client
4. judgement
5. location
6. means
7. time

Plus:

• it's International;
• it's by nurses, for nurses;
• it has momentum (political and financial support);
• So it is credible, and research based.

Despite this, I must take a critical look at what is available for my needs and time available. All the above provide way too much for a first bash - prototype, proof of concept. I have the luxury of not worrying about safety. My project does not constitute an electronic health record or other variant. Yes, I want to prove the health career model and to this end I must also find or create several nursing case studies to interrogate within Drupal and h2cm.

Perhaps as things improve economically, nursing classification will be revived and will allowed the time to fully mature? I recall in 2006 plans to explore mental health within SNOMED which unfortunately did not materialise. So, when I say mature, I mean like cheese in the holistic senses of the ingredients: nursing care concepts across contexts that also incorporate self-care, recovery, demographic trends ...; and the process across communities of practice (integrated care) through to academic and management applications - research / reporting.

In March 2010 plans were announced of plans to harmonize the efforts of the ICNP and SNOMED CT nursing.

So, with a possible jumpstart - a sprint for my site this autumn in Manchester, UK and work afoot to make nursing classification matter on the 'ground' there is more to follow on several fronts. ... I remember a presentation Derek did in the 1990s about classification and making nursing visible - let's do it!

contact: h2cmng @ yahoo.co.uk

Evidence Hodges' model #1: Research in Nursing

When as a nurse (OT, physio, medic....) you are on a course, especially one about research you may be required to complete a study or more significant piece of research. Courses at graduate and post graduate level invariably include such demands and stress the hope that this course will spur you to continue the research effort in the work place. The ideal is of course to routinise research in clinical settings. Whatever the debate regarding the merits of evidence-based nursing, medicine and so on, this still needs to happen in part to help bridge the theory - practice gap.


In the same way all nurses have a professional responsibility to educate their student peers, (patients and carers...) there is an expectation that nurses are like embedded media commentators in a war zone. Part of your time in practice will be devoted to research, audit and governance.

While there are audit and governance teams there willing to help, many people multi-task in their work and nurses are seasoned practitioners. Many just want to do what they were trained for and nurse. They recognize this as they hear the expectations of the course leaders, lecturers and yet they are aware of the constraints. The scope for research is weighed against other commitments, notably:

• direct(ing) patient care and safety
• management and supervision
• audit duties for management information

There are of course a host of psychosocial influences that come into play. What is my personal interest in research? Where do I prefer to be at work: office, ward, or home or retired? Cynical? No! Just being realistic. The information systems frequently in place can assist as a research tool, but their chief role is to provide management information through the collation of aggregated data. This is done by-and-large transparently in the background ('back-end'), and that is the problem. Nurses need to get their feet wet. The option must be there, and not just when on courses. Nurses need to immerse themselves in the data and information streams they help to create and source.

As the list above suggests nurses and not just senior nurses need direct access to the icon labelled 'reports'. There should be ways for nursing work to be captured in-situ, but how? Many clinical information system vendors have their solutions to this, but as regular readers know for a long time I've been wondering about -

1. How can the balance between management data and intelligence needs and clinical needs be supported and bridged?*
2. What is the evidence base to support Hodges' model in theory, practice, management and policy?
3. What is the state, characteristics, access and usability of nursing terminology, taxonomy, classification systems in informatics - information and communication systems?
4. If I am individually compelled (nuts!) to create a new website could I ally this aim with a course?

More to follow - including some of the sessions at Drupalcon Paris.....

*To this list we also need to add other stakeholders - members of the public.

Additional link:
https://www.icn.ch/what-we-do/projects/ehealth-icnp

Image sources:
Mind the gap: http://ci.coe.uni.edu/facstaff/zeitz/web/itag/mindthegap/
Report icon: http://artistsvalley.deviantart.com/art/Free-Task-Icons-Reports-Icons-89509953