NP/APN Conference Nashville

Join thousands of advanced practice nurses representing more than 140 nations in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, September 14 – 17, 2026, for a stimulating 4-day international exchange of ideas and strategies in advanced practice nursing at the 14th ICN NP/APN Network Conference. Read more here! 

ICN Congress – Submit your Abstracts! 

The ICN Congress 2027 has launched its call for abstracts, inviting nurses, health professionals and researchers worldwide to contribute to its scientific programme. To support prospective authors, particularly those submitting for the first time or from settings with limited access to abstract-writing support, this webinar provided practical guidance on the submission process, expectations, and review criteria.  Learn more about how to submit your abstract here! 

World Humanitarian Day 2026 - New #NursesforPeace bulletin and calls for urgent end to attacks on health professionals 

To mark World Humanitarian Day, ICN has published a new #NursesforPeace Impact and Stories Bulletin. The bulletin sets out ICN’s work to support and protect nurses in grave humanitarian crises and shows how nurses are leading the response to conflicts, disasters and disease outbreaks around the world. This World Humanitarian Day, ICN also reiterates, in the strongest possible terms, our continual calls for an immediate end to all attacks on health workers, patients and health facilities; for full enforcement of International Humanitarian Law; and for accountability for violations. These calls are reflected in a strong statement from the World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA), of which ICN is a founding member. Read the full story here!  

ICN awarded ANCC accreditation for nursing continuing professional development 

We are happy to share that we are now accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This accreditation provides independent confirmation that ICN's professional development programming meets rigorous standards for high-quality,  evidence-based learning. 

Accreditation means that at key ICN in-person events, including this September’s ICN Nurse Practitioner/Advanced Practice Nursing (NP/APN) Network Conference and next year’s ICN Congress, attendees will be able to receive ANCC contact hours. Accredited activities provide recognized, verifiable evidence of continuing professional development, and, depending on applicable national or jurisdictional requirements, credits or contact hours may be accepted towards continuing competence, revalidation or licence/registration renewal.  

ICN launches Learning Hub to make global nursing knowledge available to nurses everywhere 

In July, we launched the new ICN Learning Hub, making outstanding learning, evidence and good practice from the ICN Congress available to nurses around the world.  

The Learning Hub launches with more than 100 carefully selected and edited videos from the ICN Congress 2025 in Helsinki, which brought together around 7 000 nurse leaders from across the world.  Many of the learning modules also offer ICNEC continuing education credits. Read the full story here! 

Fifth National and Third International Congress on the Teaching Role of Nursing 

ICN President José Luis Cobos Serrano participated through a pre-recorded presentation in the Fifth National and Third International Congress on the Teaching Role of Nursing, organized by the Mexican Association of Nurses Training Healthcare Personnel S.C. (AMEEFRHS S.C.), held from 15 to 19 July 2026. 

Summer School of Paracelsus Medical University lecture 

On 11 July, ICN CEO Howard Catton was invited to deliver a lecture at the Summer School of Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) in Salzburg, addressing an audience of global health researchers, policymakers, nursing academics, and students. Howard's presentation attracted substantial attention, resulting in coverage by Austria's national public broadcaster, ORF, as well as MeinBezirk, one of the country's leading regional news networks. 

Brazilian Nursing Association (ABEn) Centenary 

On 11 August, José Luis delivered a congratulatory message at the Opening Ceremony of the Brazilian Nursing Association (ABEn) Centenary, commemorating 100 years of the association's service to the nursing profession and healthcare development in Brazil. 

AI for Good Summit & AI Nurses Network Conference

ICN participated in the UN’s AI for Good Summit in Geneva on 10 July, joining global leaders, policymakers and innovators. AI is reshaping health care, but its future must be guided by ethics, equity, & human-centred care, with nurses involved at every stage. From this Summit, we presented our 8 key takeaways for Nursing and AI  

Following this, he also joined the AI Nurses Network Conference at King's College London, where he shared the key messages with the delegates.  

6th Ibero-American Congress and International Virtual Seminar 

He also delivered messages for two major nursing events held in Peru: the 6th Ibero-American Congress, "Nursing in the Face of Global Challenges: Innovation and Leadership for Quality Care", hosted by the Centre for Specialised Training in Health on 5-7 August 2026; and the International Virtual Seminar, "Advanced Practice Nursing in Latin America: Opportunities, Experiences and Perspectives for Peru", organized by the Postgraduate School of Señor de Sipán University. 

World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) World Congress 

On 26 August 2026, Howard attended the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) World Congress at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, commemorating 80 years of WFUNA's partnership with and support for the United Nations. The Congress brought together distinguished representatives from the international UN community to reflect on the future of multilateralism, celebrate the organization's enduring impact, and recognize the critical role of civil society in shaping a more effective and responsive United Nations. 

The Future of Nursing: Technology, Leadership and the Future of Care Webinar 

José Luis was also invited to participate in the webinar "The Future of Nursing: Technology, Leadership and the Future of Care", organized by the Academy of Digital Health Sciences of the Health Parliament, a leading healthcare think tank, on 7 August 2026. Joining Dr Dileep Kumar, he explored how the nursing profession is evolving within an increasingly digital healthcare ecosystem. 

American Academy of Nursing Fellowship for ICN CEO 

We are proud to announce that its Howard Catton has been named to the 2026 Class of Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN), one of the highest honours in the nursing profession, in recognition of outstanding contributions to global nursing, health policy and workforce advocacy. ICN also extends its warmest congratulations to ICN colleague Gill Adynski, whose inclusion in the 2026 Class further reflects the organization’s impact. Read more here! 

ICN launches first ever ODENNA™ LatAm programme strengthening nursing associations across Latin America 

Last week, we officially launched the inaugural cohort of its Organizational Development of National Nursing Associations (ODENNA™) LatAm programme, supported by BD. The programme unites Latin American nursing leaders in a transformational journey to strengthen the leadership, governance and organizational capacity of National Nursing Associations (NNAs) across the region. 

As part of ICN’s Leadership Centre, ICN’s ODENNA programme was developed to strengthen NNAs as the foundation of a strong, future-proof nursing profession and high-quality, equitable care for all. Read more here! 

Following WHO Global Cancer Report, international nursing and palliative care leaders call for urgent workforce investment for rising cancer needs 

Based on the evidence in WHO’s recent Global Status Report on Cancer 2026, ICN, International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC) and International Children's Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) urge leaders to invest in and protect the nursing and health workforce to urgently strengthen health systems and improve cancer outcomes across the full continuum of care. 
 
We affirm that meeting the world’s most urgent cancer challenges depends on investing in nurses and multidisciplinary teams; addressing workforce shortages and burnout; and moving away from medicalized models towards people-centred, equitable health care across prevention, treatment, survivorship, rehabilitation and palliative services. 

ICN calls for urgent action in DRC 

ICN has written to DRC Health Minister Roger Kamba demanding immediate action to pay and protect nurses and health workers responding to the escalating Ebola outbreak. ICN has been in contact with nurses and the DRC Ordre National des Infirmiers since the earliest days of the outbreak. 

Nurses and health workers on the frontline report having gone unpaid for two to three months now, while facing extreme pressures and serious risks to their lives. Delays in administrative and verification processes cannot justify withholding pay from the workforce the country depends upon to bring the outbreak under control. Read the full story here. 

SECN Alliance Survey 

In 2023, ICN joined a working group of global health organizations led by the World Veterinary Association, and including organizations representing veterinarians, nurses, doctors, and public health professionals, in the launch of a global initiative to survey the current state of health professions’ education on Planetary Health and One Health.  

The survey aims to 1) evaluate the health professions education landscape with respect to Planetary Health and One Health concepts and 2) analyze existing gaps and strengths to determine the extent to which Planetary Health and One Health concepts are integrated across health professions curricula.  

Please consider contributing to this meaningful project by taking about 10 minutes to complete the survey: https://redcap.uasz.sn/surveys/?s=JEFLNMAED7TKHD8P  

ODENNA™ LatAm Cohort 2 is nearing completion of Domain 1: Strategic Planning & Governance, strengthening participants’ skills in leadership, governance, organizational assessment, stakeholder engagement and sustainable planning for stronger NNAs.  

Participants have also connected with the mentor teams from Paraguay (APE) and Panama (ANEP), whose guidance and shared experiences have inspired valuable peer learning and collaboration. As the cohort looks ahead to the next domain, participants are turning knowledge into action to drive lasting impact across the region.

GNLI™ continues to grow its global nurse leader community. This month’s GNLI Individual Project Showcase will celebrate scholars’ achievements. Following a successful GNLI Alumni Annual Meeting, the GNLI-A Council will review alumni ideas for greater involvement and communicate next steps. 

On 1 September, the network will host the webinar “Strengthening nurses’ managerial roles for resilient health systems in conflict and crisis settings.” To attend, contact [email protected]. 

Applications for ICN’s Nursing Data Advisory Panel (NDAP) have closed, drawing interest from nursing, digital health, data and policy leaders worldwide. The Panel will advise ICN on global nursing data, including ICNP™. Appointments are expected later this year, with the Panel operational before the 2027 ICN Congress in Taipei.  

Nurses as frontline responders for displaced populations – The Lancet 

A new article, co-authored by ICN CEO Howard Catton, was featured in The Lancet, highlighting a critical gap: Europe lacks comparable data on nurse turnover costs and the impact of retention initiatives. The article calls for economic evidence to support the investment case for action to retain nurses. Read the full article here!