Background and rationale

The need for a renewed definition was highlighted at the ICN Congress in Montreal, where it was suggested that the current definition neither aligns with contemporary practice nor represents nursing in many countries. Governments worldwide are seeking sustainable models for health care delivery, and a definition that captures professional philosophies while optimizing the contribution of nurses is essential. 

Previous efforts to create a global definition have fallen short of meeting diverse needs, leading some National Nursing Associations (NNAs) and institutions to develop their own. Crafting a unifying definition that remains relevant across jurisdictions, cultures and time has proven challenging due to the rapidly evolving nature of healthcare and the profession. ICN has prioritized defining nursing since its first efforts in 1919, with notable milestones including Virginia Henderson's influential definition in the late 1950s and the comprehensive definition introduced in 1987. Despite revisions, dissatisfaction persisted, prompting the adoption of a shorter definition in 2002, which remains in use today. Interestingly, ICN’s nursing definition page is still the most frequently accessed on its website.