Ching Min Chen

In reviewing global nursing challenges, I believe leading nursing initiatives will be difficult without full representation from and the consensus action of National Nurses Associations (NNAs). Taking nursing migration as an example, it is an option for individual nurse’s career development, but it also affects the effectiveness of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), widely recognized as the most inclusive, equitable and cost-effective way to achieve the goal of health for all. Joining together with its NNAs, ICN is able to influence and improve the nursing practicing environment worldwide.

As the world's largest nursing professional organization, ICN aims to promote global nursing professional development and should always review whether its leading policies are in line with societal needs. Biennially, ICN partnerships with the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and the WHO to host triad / Global Partners meetings to propose and discuss key global nursing and health agenda items and realize the common goals of health for all. In view of this, it is also important that ICN continues strengthening partnerships with other international organizations to increase nursing visibility. Ideas include gaining influence at the ILO, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW), with a view to have our voice heard globally and make nursing an engine of influence and a driving force for the future. ICN should promote nursing’s leadership role to increase the number of nurses’ seats in the World Health Assembly (WHA).

ICN believes successful healthcare policymaking depends on the participation of individual nurses. The new board should focus on the ICN Strategic Plan 2024-2028 and continue monitoring the implementation outcomes of the four major investments in nursing outlined in the WHO Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2021-2025. ICN must empower its NNAs to gradually improve the quality of nursing education, effectively recruit and retain nurses, strengthen career development in advanced nursing roles, and continue to conduct nursing leadership training programs with the hope of leading the development of the nursing profession in all countries and promoting health for all. Taking Taiwan as an example, under my leadership, TWNA proposed these four nursing investments during recent national presidential and congressional elections. ICN as a global voice for nursing should urge NNAs to take proactive actions in a timely manner to advocate for effective investment in nursing. The COVID-19 pandemic elevated our voice, and people around the world are more aware than ever of nurses, our roles, our work, and our centrality to healthcare systems. If ever there was a time when we had a platform, this is it. I believe the next ICN Board should focus on strategies to equip nurses individually and collectively to advance nursing rights and roles, to strengthen our profession, and to influence systems and policies to protect the rights of those we serve. It is time for the global community to recognize, support, and invest in nurses and nursing to lead and deliver health for all.