ICN awarded ANCC accreditation for nursing continuing professional development

ANCC recognition confirms quality of ICN’s evidence-based learning and development and enables attendees to gain contact hours at upcoming ICN events

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is 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. It reflects ICN’s longstanding commitment to nursing workforce development and lifelong learning as well as the organization’s central role in shaping nurse education, leadership, and professional development worldwide.

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. Attendees can also continue to receive ICN’s International Continuing Nursing Education Credits (ICNECs), recognized in several countries around the world.

ICN CEO Howard Catton said:

“ANCC accreditation is the latest step in ICN's work to help nurses learn and lead at every stage of their careers. Every nurse has a professional responsibility to keep their knowledge and practice up to date throughout their work, as lifelong learning is the foundation of safe, effective high-quality care and strong nurse leadership.

This accreditation gives nurses confidence that ICN’s learning meets rigorous quality standards, is evidence-based and draws on knowledge and expertise from all around the world. ICN is deeply committed to creating strong and accessible pathways for education and professional growth, because when we educate nurses, we empower them to transform their communities, their countries and the world.

‘Our NP/APN Conference and Congress bring together thousands of nurses from every corner of the globe to share evidence and shape the future of the profession. This ANCC recognition reflects the high standards we set in developing these events and enables more nurses to have their learning experiences there formally recognized.”

Meeting ANCC’s standards for education structure, process, and outcomes provides external, independent assurance of the quality and rigour of ICN’s educational events, confirming that eligible learning activities are designed and delivered according to evidence-based principles. Currently, ANCC contact hours are available for eligible sessions at ICN's in-person NP/APN Conference and ICN Congress.

ICN also continues to award ICNECs (International Continuing Nursing Education Credits) for participation in its professional development events and programmes.