Strengthening Ukrainian nursing through crisis: ICN leadership programme delivers hope

The second module of ICN's first Nursing Leadership for Crisis Response and Recovery (NLCRR) programme has been successfully delivered onsite in Ukraine with a cohort of 24 Ukrainian nurses in leadership positions across the country's healthcare system, selected competitively from 400 applications. NLCRR is fully funded by ICN’s #NursesforPeace campaign and forms part of ICN’s Leadership Centre which consolidates its diverse leadership development programmes designed to equip nurses to lead with clarity, courage, and impact. This first edition of the programme marks a significant milestone in developing nurse leadership capabilities and resilience during one of the most challenging periods in Ukraine’s history. The air raid sirens that sounded daily during the programme reminded all present of the remarkable bravery and dedication these nurses show in maintaining healthcare services in an active war zone.

Caption: Video greetings to NLCRR participants presented by Dr José Luis Cobos Serrano

ICN President Dr José Luis Cobos Serrano delivered a video message to participants, saying:

“Launched in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine, the ICN #NursesforPeace campaign, through ICN’s Humanitarian Fund, has provided support for equipment, medical supplies, shelter, clothing, food, training and mental health care for nurses in Ukraine, all thanks to the huge outpouring of support and solidarity from nurses and National Nursing Associations all around the world. Today, through the Nursing Leadership for Crisis Response and Recovery programme, fully funded by #NursesforPeace, ICN continues to stand in support of Ukrainian nurses providing you with this specialized training in crisis leadership and communication, mental health support, and health system recovery. We deeply admire the work you are doing and are grateful to be able to provide you with this support in these challenging times.”

ICN CEO Howard Catton spent time with the programme cohort and delivered a presentation “Nurses for Peace: Nursing as Part of a Global Community”.

Caption: Cohort of NLCRR participants with ICN’s CEO Howard Catton and Senior Education Consultant Andrew Scanlon and WHO Ukraine’s Pavlina Guk

Mr Catton described the significance of the NLCRR programme as part of ICN’s wider commitment to developing nurse leadership as well as peace and humanitarian work:

“We are delighted to be here in Kyiv supporting and developing these courageous and talented nurse leaders not just to respond to the ongoing war but also to the recovery efforts that will come. Our ambition is to extend this programme across Ukraine, but also to take it to nurses in other conflict and disaster zones as a central part of ICN’s humanitarian and leadership development work. ICN’s recently launched Leadership Centre brings together our diverse leadership development programmes tailored to specialized leadership needs, which are absolutely vital to our vision to build the strong pipeline of nurse leaders needed to strengthen health care systems and address health challenges.

‘Nurses have huge expertise in delivering care, and they are right on the front lines of responding to and rebuilding after conflicts and crises. Ukraine’s nurses are an inspiration to nurses all around the world, and it is an honour to begin this historic leadership development programme here.”

NLCRR Ukraine has been developed with the partnership and support of the Center for Nursing Development at the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization’s Ukraine Country office and the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

The NLCRR programme runs for six months with two online modules alongside this in-person module. It supports participants to build and implement skills in leadership in crisis, emergency response, collaboration with partners, and preparation for recovery. Participants receive specialized training led by Dr Andrew Scanlon, an expert in nursing education and advanced practice with extensive experience working with WHO and Ukraine-based organisations, as well as support for nurses’ physical and mental health and in building their networks and establishing support systems that will sustain them through both immediate challenges and long-term recovery efforts. Participants gave the in-person training week strongly positive evaluations, with one noting that the modules on crisis management and communication, self-help and team support during crisis recovery helped them to understand their own potential as a leader.

Alongside the NLCRR programme, ICN’s CEO attended several critical partnership-building meetings with Ukrainian organisations and officials during his official visit in order to strengthen ICN's ongoing support for nursing in the country. Kateryna Komar, Director of the Center for Nursing at the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, played an important role in supporting the NLCRR programme and ICN’s visit.

Caption: ICN’s CEO met with over 100 representatives from Ukraine’s 24 regions and the city of Kyiv at the National Meeting of Nursing Leadership

Mr Catton participated in the National Meeting of Nursing Leadership of Ukraine with representatives of regional nursing associations from Ukraine’s 24 regions and the city of Kyiv. Regional representatives provided harrowing updates on the daily reality of nursing in wartime, with healthcare facilities and staff continue to face daily attacks, severely impacting medical supplies and taking a devastating toll on staff mental health. Nurses described how the psychological burden extends beyond personal safety, as they continually deal with grief and loss from patients, neighbours and family members killed in the conflict. Compounding these challenges, nurses continue bravely working on severely reduced salaries amid widespread staff shortages and at great personal risk.

The regional associations pledged to establish a new National Nursing Council that is a member of ICN, demonstrating their determination to strengthen and advance nursing leadership in Ukraine and internationally.

ICN’s CEO also discussed the development of nursing science and PhD programmes with Professor Vasyl Lazoryshynets, President of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

Caption: ICN’s CEO accompanied by Kateryna Komar and Professor Vasyl Lazoryshynets

ICN also met with one of the nursing associations ICN has provided support to through the Humanitarian Fund and #NursesforPeace initiative.

Caption: ICN’s CEO stands with the remnants of burned-out ambulances that once served Ukraine's communities

During the visit, ICN visited the Ukrainian Ministry of Health for high-level meetings. Outside the Ministry stand several burned out and attacked ambulances, bearing witness to the unacceptable and targeted attacks on health care facilities throughout this conflict. ICN expressed its unwavering solidarity with Ukraine's healthcare workers and condemned the ongoing tragedies and deliberate attacks on healthcare facilities. The Ministry of Health conveyed strong appreciation for ICN’s advocacy for protection of health workers and facilities.

Caption: ICN CEO Howard Catton with Ukrainian Ministry of Health representatives discussing support for nursing leadership development and capacity strengthening

ICN’s CEO met with several Ministry of Health officials Including Serhii Ubohof, Head of the Department of Medical Personnel, Education and Science. The Ministry of Health representative expressed his strong satisfaction with the NLCRR programme, and given the clear demand, with over 400 applicants in this first round, sought to discuss scaling up the initiative and pledged to support running the programme again. He also endorsed the need to enable and empower Ukraine’s nurses as leaders, including through the creation of a National Nursing Association that is part of ICN. At the Ministry’s request, ICN committed to sharing concrete resources including the Code of Ethics to support ongoing development and to continue to enable Ukraine’s nurses. ICN will continue to advocate for an end to all attacks on health care workers in contravention of International Humanitarian Law.

Caption: ICN’s CEO and Kateryna Komar with Illia Kletskovskyi of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society

ICN also had productive discussions with Illia Kletskovskyi, Deputy Director General of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS), the country's largest humanitarian support provider. The URCS has shown deep commitment to elevating the role of nurses in crisis response, establishing home care nursing services and creating a nursing college. Their representative shared serious concerns about addressing the intense mental health needs that have emerged from prolonged conflict exposure. He expressed strong interest in the NLCRR programme and requested ICN's support with concrete resources including competency development and professional codes of ethics.

Caption: ICN's CEO discussed nurse workforce strengthening and mental health needs with Kyiv City State Health Department Director Tetiana Mostepan

ICN’s discussions with Tetiana Mostepan, Acting Director of the Department of Health, Kyiv City State provided additional insights into local healthcare experiences and challenges at the municipal level, including the urgent need for mental health support for nurses and civilians. ICN’s CEO and the Director spoke positively about the launch of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Programme promoted by First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, which Mr Catton was present for at the UN General Assembly.

Caption: First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Programme at WHO UN General Assembly side event “No Health Without Mental Health”

The strong partnerships developed during this week in Ukraine will be essential for sustained support to Ukrainian nursing, and ICN will continue working closely with these partners to provide resources, advocacy, and professional development opportunities. NLCRR programme participants will soon begin the third module of their programme, building the leadership development capabilities needed to guide teams and health systems through crisis recovery, resilience, and rebuilding.