ICN praises Korean Nursing Association for its determined campaign culminating in the adoption of the Nursing Act into law - Republic of Korea Prime Minister says new law is “a stepping stone to becoming an advanced healthcare country"

ICN President Dr Pamela Cipriano and Chief Executive Officer Howard Catton were in Seoul, South Korea last week for the historic enactment of the Nursing Act, following a tenacious years-long campaign by the Korean Nursing Association (KNA).

Before the enactment of the Nursing Act, nursing practice in South Korea was governed by the Medical Service Act — a law primarily focused on the regulation of medical professionals and institutions. This framework failed to adequately reflect the evolving and specialized roles of nurses within an increasingly advanced modern healthcare system, as well as the tasks and characteristics of nurses working in various fields other than hospitals such as local communities.

The Nursing Act establishes a legal safeguard for nurses by stipulating the delegated medical practice, which they have been practically performing as part of their scope of practice, while systematically prescribing necessary matters related to nursing in various fields where nurses and other health professionals are engaged, thereby contributing to the promotion of public health.

Additionally, the Nursing Act also lays the foundation for establishing sustainable nursing policies by mandating the convening of a Nursing Policy Deliberation Committee every five years for the formulation of the Comprehensive Nursing Plan, which addresses issues regarding improving the working conditions of nurses, ensuring an adequate supply, training, and proper placement, as well as supporting educational conditions for the nurture of excellent nurses.

At the Korean Nursing Association Nursing Law Enactment Celebration Ceremony, which was also attended by Republic of Korea’s Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Dr Cipriano said:

“I commend the Korean Nursing Association for your unwavering dedication and hard work in bringing the Korean Nursing Act into law which will advance the roles of nurses and strengthen healthcare in Korea.

‘I am delighted to celebrate this monumental achievement which underscores the importance of a robust legal framework to protect both nurses and patients. For more than 3 years, I’ve been proud to stand with you, including attending some amazing rallies, as you achieved this significant milestone.”

Mr Catton said: “This landmark legislation marks a significant milestone in the advancement of nursing, patient safety, and healthcare in Korea and is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the Korean Nursing Association.

‘The passage of this Act ensures that nurses are empowered with the necessary resources and support to provide the highest quality of care to patients. It also reinforces the importance of patient safety, ensuring that every individual receives the highest quality of healthcare.”

Prime Minister Han gave a congratulatory speech at the event, saying passing the Nursing Act into law, which was voted for by 283 of the 290 members of the National Assembly, is “a valuable stepping stone for our country to become an advanced healthcare country."

He said: “When the Nursing Act goes into effect in June of next year, nurses will be treated with proper courtesy in medical settings and will be able to focus on protecting and treating patients," and added, "Since the duties that nurses must perform are clearly defined, their work burden will be greatly reduced."

Prime Minister Han said the new law would create an environment where nurses and healthcare workers can treat patients while receiving stable legal protection, adding: “Our people will never forget the nurses who stayed in the medical field to maintain the emergency treatment system and emergency medical system whenever we face a healthcare crisis and relieve the suffering of the people.”