13/06/2025
Redefining Our Calling: The New ICN Definition of Nursing (2025)
Yesterday at the ICN 2025 Congress, a renewed definition of “nursing” was officially launched, one that powerfully captures both the heart and science of what we do.
“Nursing is a profession dedicated to upholding everyone’s right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health… through collaborative, culturally safe, people-centred care and services.”
This definition is more than a formality, it is a global reaffirmation of our shared commitment to equity, safety, compassion, and science-based practice.
As a Doctor of Nursing Science and a frontline nurse leader, I’m deeply inspired by how this updated definition acknowledges our therapeutic relationships, our ethical responsibility, and our evolving role in healthcare leadership.
Whether at the bedside, in boardrooms, or in communities, nurses remain unwavering in advocating for a better, just, and healthier world.
Let this be a reminder to all of us, nursing is not just what we do, it’s who we are.