International Council of Nurses
Professional services
UnclaimedA global federation of national nurses' associations that represents nursing, advances professional standards, and advocates for health policy.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a Geneva-based federation of national nurses' associations and one of the oldest international organizations representing a health profession. Founded in 1899, it was created to connect national nursing bodies, improve nursing education and professional ethics, support the welfare of nurses, and give nursing a coordinated voice in international health policy. Its membership has grown from a small group of associations in Europe, North America, and parts of the Commonwealth to more than 140 national member organizations representing nurses across the world. The organization was first proposed by Ethel Bedford Fenwick at the 1899 Congress of the International Council of Women, during a session devoted to nursing. The founding concept was an international network through which national associations could exchange knowledge and promote consistent standards for education, registration, professional conduct, and practice. A provisional committee included nurses from Great Britain, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, the Netherlands, and Denmark. At the first formal organizational meeting in 1900, Fenwick became president, while Lavinia Dock and M. Agnes Snively were appointed honorary treasurers. The first International Congress of Nurses, held in Buffalo in 1901, adopted a resolution supporting nurse registration, establishing a recurring link between ICN's international meetings and the development of professional regulation. ICN's central role is representative and policy-oriented rather than commercial. It advocates for nursing in international institutions, promotes safe and equitable health systems, supports the professional development and wellbeing of nurses, and seeks to ensure that health considerations are reflected across public policy. Its work includes policy statements, professional guidance, leadership and workforce initiatives, educational events, research dissemination, and public communications on issues affecting nurses and patients. The organization also speaks on subjects such as workforce shortages, migration, occupational safety, advanced practice, regulation, universal health coverage, and the contribution of nursing to public health. Governance is led by the Council of National Representatives, with each member association selecting a national representative. The council admits members, determines policy, sets dues, and elects the board. Between council meetings, a 12-member board of directors oversees the federation. The board includes the president, three vice-presidents, and geographically representative members. Day-to-day operations are led by a chief executive officer working with the president. Howard Catton is the current CEO, and José Luis Cobos Serrano became president for the 2025–2029 term. ICN convenes a major congress every two years, normally alongside the Council of National Representatives meeting. These congresses combine professional workshops, scientific presentations, policy discussions, plenary sessions, and networking among nursing organizations. The congress has been held in cities across Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania; the 2021 edition was held virtually, while the 2023 congress took place in Montreal and the 2025 congress in Helsinki. ICN also organizes specialized conferences and produces professional and policy resources. The federation is closely associated with International Nurses Day, observed each year on May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth. Its official journal, International Nursing Review, has been published since 1953 and focuses on nursing and health policy, professional practice, and international issues relevant to nursing. Through its membership network, congresses, journal, campaigns, and policy advocacy, ICN functions as a global institutional voice for the nursing profession.
History
The International Council of Nurses emerged from the international professional reform movement of the late nineteenth century. At the 1899 Congress of the International Council of Women, Ethel Bedford Fenwick proposed creating an international body through which national nurses' associations could cooperate. The proposal focused on raising educational standards, strengthening professional ethics, and improving the public standing of nursing. A provisional committee drew participants from Great Britain, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, the Netherlands, and Denmark. The organization established its first constitution and officers in 1900, with Fenwick as president and Lavinia Dock and M. Agnes Snively as honorary treasurers. Its first International Congress of Nurses took place in Buffalo in 1901 during the Pan-American Exposition. At that meeting, ICN adopted a resolution supporting nurse registration, reflecting the period's growing emphasis on formal professional credentials and public protection. By the 1904 congress in Berlin, national nursing organizations from Great Britain, the United States, and Germany were affiliated with the council. ICN's congresses became an important mechanism for exchanging ideas about education, registration, nursing ethics, public health, and professional organization. The congress schedule was interrupted and reshaped by major world events, including the First World War and the Second World War. Meetings resumed in the postwar era and expanded geographically, with congresses held in cities including Atlanta, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Melbourne, Frankfurt, Montreal, Mexico City, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Tel Aviv, Seoul, Madrid, Vancouver, Copenhagen, Taipei, Durban, Barcelona, Singapore, Montreal, and Helsinki. The organization also marked its centenary with a 1999 conference in London. The federation's institutional development included a permanent administrative function and a succession of professional leaders. Daisy Bridges served as general secretary until her retirement in 1961 and later compiled a history of the council's first 65 years. Former chief executives identified in reference material include Christiane Reimann, Judith Oulton, and David Benton; Howard Catton is the current chief executive officer. In the modern period, ICN has positioned itself as a global advocate for nurses and for health systems that recognize nursing's contribution. Its policy agenda encompasses professional regulation, workforce planning, migration, leadership, advanced practice, socioeconomic welfare, occupational wellbeing, and health in all policies. The organization represents its members through international advocacy and provides practical and intellectual resources through congresses, conferences, statements, guidance, and publications. Governance is vested in the Council of National Representatives, which meets every two years and includes one representative for each member organization. The council determines policy, admits members, sets membership dues, and elects the board of directors. A 12-member board governs between council meetings, with a president, three vice-presidents, and geographically distributed elected members. The president serves a single four-year term, while board members may serve no more than two consecutive four-year terms. ICN also maintains a public-facing role through International Nurses Day, observed each May 12, and through International Nursing Review, its peer-reviewed journal established in 1953. The journal addresses nursing and health policy and reaches readers in numerous countries, with content published online in English and translated into Spanish and Chinese. In 2016, it was inducted into the Nursing Journal Hall of Fame by the International Academy of Nurse Editors. With more than 140 national member associations and a global congress program, ICN remains a central international institution for the representation and development of nursing.
- 2025
Helsinki congress and new presidential term
[3]The 30th congress took place in Helsinki, and José Luis Cobos Serrano began the 2025–2029 presidential term.
- 2023
Montreal congress
[1]Montreal hosted the 29th International Congress of Nurses.
- 2021
Congress delivered virtually
[1]The 28th congress was held virtually, replacing the originally planned Abu Dhabi meeting.
- 2016
International Nursing Review enters Nursing Journal Hall of Fame
[1]The journal was recognized by the International Academy of Nurse Editors.
- 1999
Centennial anniversary conference
[1]ICN marked its centenary with an anniversary conference in London.
- 1953
International Nursing Review begins publication
[1]International Nursing Review became the council's principal peer-reviewed journal for nursing and health policy.
- 1901
First International Congress of Nurses
[1]The inaugural congress in Buffalo adopted a resolution supporting nurse registration.
- 1900
First constitution and officers established
[1]ICN adopted its first constitution and selected Ethel Bedford Fenwick as president, with Lavinia Dock and M. Agnes Snively as honorary treasurers.
- 1899
International nursing federation proposed
[1]Ethel Bedford Fenwick proposed an international council for national nurses' associations at the Congress of the International Council of Women.
Products and positioning
A global representative and policy voice for the nursing profession, connecting national nurses' associations and promoting professional standards, workforce wellbeing, and stronger health systems.
Professional congress · 1901
International Congress of Nurses
ICN's flagship biennial gathering combines professional workshops, research and poster presentations, plenary sessions, policy discussions, and meetings of the federation's governing representatives. Congresses provide a global forum for national associations and individual nursing leaders to discuss practice, education, regulation, leadership, workforce conditions, and health policy.
Peer-reviewed journal · 1953
International Nursing Review
International Nursing Review is ICN's peer-reviewed journal addressing nursing policy, health policy, professional practice, and issues affecting the international nursing workforce. It is published online in English, with translations available in Spanish and Chinese, and serves as a research and policy communication channel for the federation.
Public awareness campaign
International Nurses Day
Observed annually on May 12, International Nurses Day is ICN's principal global awareness platform for highlighting the contribution of nurses and communicating themes related to nursing practice, workforce wellbeing, public health, and health-system development.
Professional advocacy resource
Policy and professional guidance
ICN develops policy statements, professional guidance, advocacy materials, and resources for national nurses' associations and nursing leaders. These materials support international discussion of regulation, education, advanced practice, workforce planning, migration, safety, ethics, and the role of nursing in health policy.
Marketing campaigns
- International Nurses Day
Global
ICN sponsors the annual May 12 observance commemorating Florence Nightingale's birthday. The initiative raises public visibility for nursing and provides a coordinated platform for advocacy, education, and discussion of issues affecting nurses and health systems.
Outcome. It has become an established annual international observance for the nursing profession.
Brand decisions
2021
Virtual delivery of the 28th congressOtherBackground
The 2021 congress had originally been planned for Abu Dhabi, but the event format was changed.
Action taken
ICN held the congress virtually.
Aftermath
The virtual congress enabled the biennial event to proceed despite the change in venue and format.
1901
Support for nurse registrationStrategyBackground
At its first congress, ICN addressed the emerging movement to formalize nursing qualifications and protect the public through professional registration.
Action taken
Delegates adopted a resolution in favor of nurse registration.
Aftermath
The resolution reflected ICN's early focus on professional standards, education, ethics, and regulatory recognition.
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