ICN Leadership for ChangeTM nursing training initiative contributes to construction of healthy China
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) Leadership for ChangeTM (LFC) training programme, co-hosted by ICN and the Chinese Nursing Association (CNA) and sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, was recently held in Xining, Qinghai Province in north of China. Over 40 senior level nurses joined the week-long training.
This year represents a significant milestone for the training since it has been launched in China in 2017. ICN LFC training will ultimately reach approximately 500 nurses across 12 provinces/cities in China within a year. This initiative aims to enable the development of senior level nurses with the leadership skills for the purpose of improving nursing practice and achieving better health outcomes in China.
ICN CEO, Howard Catton said:
“Never has the importance of nurse leadership been more evident than during the current global pandemic. In China we have witnessed the courage, commitment and leadership of China’s heroic nurses. The incredible response of China’s public health system to the pandemic has also increased the demand on nurses and nurse leadership and the LFC programme will provide additional support to the participants. Since the start of the LFC programme in China we have received very positive feedback from all those who have taken part. I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to our partner, the Chinese Nursing Association, for co-hosting this signature programme as well as to Johnson & Johnson for their amazing input into the programme.”
Wu Xinjuan，President of the Chinese Nursing Association, said:
"Nurses are a force of change, and the voices of leadership. They are the drivers to protect and advance health. The Chinese Nursing Association has always strived to elevate the effect of nurses in advancing human health as well as their status. The International Leadership for Change training is being held throughout China. This will help us to develop leaders in nursing management who have a global vision and possess excellent management abilities. This is crucial for comprehensively raising the leadership ability of our nation's senior level managers of healthcare industry."
The ICN LFC programme was initiated by ICN in 1996. Over the past 25 years, this training has been held in over 70 countries and territories. Since 2017, ICN and the Chinese Nursing Association have worked in close partnership, with sponsorship from Johnson & Johnson, to implement this programme in China.
Following the early-stage pilot sessions and train the trainer sessions, the programme has been rolled out more extensively this year, helping Chinese nurses to acquire a greater understanding of the global health challenges, obtain insights into international leadership styles, develop organisational changes through group projects, and improve the management capability in the context of health system redesign and transformation.
Along with the training that is being run in different areas of China, a strong cooperation has formed between the CNA and the local nursing associations which will have a long-lasting impact for the nursing profession.
Nursing work stands as a vital component of the country's medical industry and has produced considerable contributions to people's health. With the rapid ageing of society, changes in the disease spectrum and the greater awareness people have when it comes to health, the quality of the nursing industry has continued to develop at a rapid pace. At the end of 2020, there were over 4.7 million registered nurses in China with an average of 3.35 nurses per thousand people - an increase of 45% since 2015 when there was an average of 2.37 nurses per thousand people. According to the goals laid out by the "Outline of the Healthy China 2030 Plan", there should be 4.7 nurses per thousand permanent residents. During China's 14th Five-Year Plan period, strengthening nursing teams, promoting the nursing industry and reforms as well as development for the nursing industry are pivotal to the strategy for creating a healthy China.
The ICN Leadership for Change programme offers courses on leadership, management, communication skills, project management, and increasing quality, which comprehensively enhances the leadership development of nurses.
Download the press release here