ICN celebrates passage of the Korean Nursing Act recognizing nurses’ professional autonomy

Photo April 2022, rally in support of Nursing Act, Seoul, Republic of Korea

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) welcomes the news that the Republic of Korea’s National Assembly has passed a historic Nursing Act that will provide a comprehensive legal framework for the nursing profession in the country, with clearly defined roles, rights, and responsibilities, including provisions for advanced nursing practice through the Clinical Certified Registered Nurse title.

The Korean Nursing Association (KNA) celebrated this legislative breakthrough, which is the result of years of tireless advocacy by Korea’s nurses and the wider nursing community, commenting that it “opened the path to establish a nursing care system and realize universal health coverage, while laying the foundation for the state's responsibility to train, dispatch and secure outstanding nursing personnel.”

ICN previously issued a strong statement in support of a Korean Nursing Act and recently called on Korea’s government to make the right choice in legislating the Act and implementing Advanced Practice Nursing roles, in line with international practice recommendations including the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Nursing Strategy. Both ICN’s President, Dr Pamela Cipriano, and CEO, Mr Howard Catton, have long supported KNA in their pursuit of improved nursing legislation and conditions. They have addressed Korea’s nurses at rallies and events many times over the years, and were honoured to receive plaques of appreciation at the 100th anniversary of the KNA in 2023.

Reflecting on the long-awaited passage of the Act, Dr Cipriano remarked:

“We warmly congratulate our forward-thinking Korean colleagues on this landmark legislation which represents a significant milestone for the nursing profession in Korea. We applauded the Korean government when they established a Nursing Policy Division to design initiatives aimed at improving healthcare for nurses and patients, and this is an important next step in advancing and developing nursing and healthcare in the country.

We at ICN have been proud to stand beside KNA in their long fight for a Nursing Act that recognizes nursing as an independent profession, allows nurses to advance in their careers and work to their full scope of practice, and paves the way for improved legal protections and working conditions. The adoption of this Act is a testament to the unwavering dedication and perseverance of Korean nurses in their pursuit of professional recognition and autonomy for the good of nurses and patients alike. The people of Korea will benefit greatly from a strengthened and enabled nursing sector.”

Previously, nursing work in Korea was governed by the Medical Service Act, which classified nurses as subordinate to physicians and limited their work to that of assistants rather than autonomous health professionals. This also created ambiguity around nurses’ roles, with nurses reporting that they were being forced to perform tasks outside of their regulated professional duties especially during ongoing doctor’s strikes, leaving them at significant risk of liability issues as well as overwork.

The Act defines a new Clinical Certified Registered Nurse role, authorizing nurses to undertake advanced nursing practice in specialized treatment areas while coordinating their efforts with other professionals.

ICN’s Chief Executive, Mr Catton, emphasized the far-reaching benefits of advanced and specialized nurses, noting: “Evidence shows that specialist and advanced nursing roles can be hugely effective in addressing a wide range of health challenges worldwide, from ageing populations to post-COVID rebuilding efforts and a lack of access to healthcare.”

Mr Catton said: “Korea’s new legislation will both enable and protect nurses in their increasingly complex, demanding, and vital health care work. It is important to note that this Nursing Act will not undermine the vital role of doctors but will instead create a more effective and collaborative health system that benefits all healthcare professionals and, most importantly, their patients. By recognizing the autonomy of nurses while ensuring that nursing work is performed within the relevant scope of practice and in accordance with physician guidance where appropriate, the Act will promote interprofessional collaboration and strengthen healthcare teams.

It is now crucial to ensure that the Act is implemented effectively and ICN looks forward to continuing to support our Korean colleagues in their work to advance the nursing profession for the good and health of all.”