IFPN President's message about the ICN 2025 Congress
ICN 2025 Congress – A Wonderful Representation of Global Nursing
Dear IFPN Board Members, perioperative leaders, and international collegues,
I am pleased to share with you that I had the honor of attending the 30th ICN Congress held in Helsinki, Finland, representing IFPN among more than 7,000 delegates from over 110 countries.
The congress offered a rich and diverse program, covering a wide range of topics that reflect the global voice of nursing. Under the theme “Nursing power to change the world”, the sessions highlighted the vital role of nurses in shaping healthcare policy, promoting equity, advancing universal health coverage, and driving innovation across all fields of practice. It was truly inspiring to witness the strength and unity of our profession on a global platform.
This gathering not only celebrated the centenary of the ICN’s 5th Congress (first held in Finland in 1925) but also reaffirmed the universal commitment of nurses to improve health outcomes worldwide. It was a valuable opportunity to build new relationships, strengthen collaborations, and represent perioperative nursing within the broader global nursing community.
During the 30th ICN Congress held in Helsinki, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) officially introduced newly revised definitions for nursing and nurse, marking a significant moment for the global nursing profession.
As the global voice for more than 29 million nurses, ICN carries the responsibility to define the profession it represents. While the previous definition of nursing has served the international community for decades, the rapid changes in healthcare over recent years - including technological innovation, increasing patient health literacy, rising healthcare costs, and evolving global health priorities - prompted the need for updated definitions that reflect modern nursing practice.
The ICN's new definitions recognize both the profession and the individual nurse:
- Nursing: emphasizes nursing as a regulated profession grounded in a body of knowledge and dedicated to serving others through practice.
- Nurse: highlights the actions, responsibilities, and ethical values that guide nurses as they engage with individuals, families, and communities across diverse care settings.
While some components are shared across healthcare professions, the combined definitions uniquely express the scope, values, and identity of nursing on a global scale. This important update reflects the growth, diversity, and leadership of nursing as it continues to play a central role in improving health outcomes and advancing healthcare systems worldwide.
You can access the full ICN publication here (click the link):
Renewing the Definitions of Nursing and Nurse – ICN
These revised definitions will serve as an essential reference for the global nursing community as it continues to advance health equity, strengthen healthcare systems, and meet the needs of patients and populations across the world.
The International Federation of Perioperative Nurses (IFPN) fully supports the ICN’s leadership and remains committed to promoting perioperative nursing excellence and global collaboration within the nursing community.
Thank you for your continued support. I look forward to sharing more insights in our upcoming meetings.
Kind regards,
Prof. Dr. Meryem Yavuz van Giersbergen
President, International Federation of Perioperative Nurses (IFPN) 2025–2027
IFPN president Meryem Yavuz van Giersbergen together with Dr Pamela F. Cipriano, President of the ICN ( International Council of Nurses )
More images of the ICN 2025 congress available in the GALLERY
Share this post: