22/07/2025
A proposed definition of nursing and nurse is being revised. It has been 40 years since it was written and 20 years since the last revision. As the nurses' role has changed over these years, including the impact of technology, communication, and increased health literacy in the public, the role of a nurse has evolved. It was time to update.
To save you reading the full article, here it is.
Proposed DEFINITION OF 'A NURSE'
A nurse is a professional who is educated in the scientific knowledge, skills and philosophy of nursing, and regulated to practice nursing based on established standards of practice and ethical codes.
Nurses enhance health literacy, promote health, prevent illness, protect patient safety, alleviate suffering, facilitate recovery and adaptation, and uphold dignity throughout life and at end of life. They work autonomously and collaboratively across settings to improve health, through advocacy, evidence-informed decision-making, and culturally safe, therapeutic relationships.
Nurses provide people-centred, compassionate clinical and social care, manage services, enhance health systems, advance public and population health, and foster safe and sustainable environments. Nurses lead, educate, research, advocate, innovate and shape policy to improve health outcomes.
Furthermore, nurses play a unique role in health and care for populations of all ages, in all settings, by building trust with individuals, families, and communities and gaining valuable insights into people’s experiences of health and illness. Building on a foundation of personalized direct and social care, nurses advance their capabilities through ongoing education, research and exploration of best practices.
Proposed DEFINITION OF ‘NURSING’
Nursing is a profession dedicated to upholding everyone’s right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health, through a shared commitment to providing collaborative, culturally safe, people-centred care and services. Nursing acts and advocates for people’s equitable access to health and health care, and safe, sustainable
environments.
The practice of nursing embodies the philosophy and values of the profession in providing professional care in the most personal health-related aspects of people’s lives. Nursing promotes health, protects safety and continuity in care, and manages and leads health care organizations and systems. Nursing’s practice is underpinned by a unique combination of science-based disciplinary knowledge, technical capability, ethical standards, and therapeutic relationships. Nursing is committed to compassion, social justice and a better future for humanity.
Read more about the process of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) review here;
