A new unifying global definition of nursing has been published.
The International Council of Nursing (ICN) published its new definitions of ‘nurse’ and ‘nursing’ today following discussions with, and consensus from, nursing leaders across the world.
“The previous definitions were slightly out of step with where we needed to be”
David Stewart
The ICN’s Council of Nursing Association Representatives (CNR) voted unanimously to approve them, during a meeting held ahead of the organisation’s 2025 congress, taking place in Helsinki, Finland this week.
The revised definition of a nurse replaces the ICN’s previous one, which was last published in 1987.
It adds significantly more detail and emphasises the “scientific” nature of nursing practice more strongly than the previous version.
It refers to the wide-spanning role of nurses, working across health and social care, research and education, and responding to disasters, conflicts and emergencies.
The ICN has also updated its 2002 definition of nursing as a profession, distinct from the definition of a nurse.
The definition of nursing states that it is a profession “dedicated to upholding everyone’s right” to the “highest attainable standard of health” through “collaborative, culturally safe, people-centred care”.
It asserts that the profession is one that advocates for universal health coverage, sustainable environments and safe healthcare.
This definition also emphasises the “science-based” nature of the knowledge that underpins nursing.
The new definitions were published as part of a report led by Australian nurses David Stewart, ICN director of nursing policy, and Dr Michelle Gunn, ICN head of nursing practice and regulation.
The pair said they hoped the new definitions would be adopted by regulators, national nursing organisations, researchers and others.
Mr Stewart described the new definitions as “more than a professional statement”, and as a “powerful reaffirmation of nursing’s leadership in shaping health for all”.
He said the process of creating the definitions was “exceptionally complex”, taking into account evidence and regional differences from national nursing associations and regulators across the world.
David Stewart and Michelle Gunn
“We saw that the previous definitions were slightly out of step with where we needed to be,” he said.
“They became seen as more a list of [duties], as opposed to really providing a clear understanding of the profession. Hence… our definitions became less utilised.”
Ms Stewart, a former chief nurse, added: “The difference between the 2002 definition and the current definition… is quite significant.
“We hope that this will be the definition for maybe 20 years or longer, and we’ve [looked] at where the profession is going, and [reflected] that nursing as a profession is moving, as our community needs have moved.
“So, we believe that this definition is very encompassing, but… not a list of dot points. It’s written in a broader way that encompasses, at a much higher level, what it is that we as a profession value, our contributions historically, and where we [see] ourselves going into the future.”
Speaking with Nursing Times following the publication of the report, Mr Stewart emphasised the importance of including references to “science” in the definition.
“We wanted to make sure that policy makers knew that [nursing] is an evidence-informed approach to the delivery of care,” he said.
Mr Stewart added: “You need a level of sophistication and knowledge as care becomes increasingly complex.
“The scope evolves as the profession in its understanding and evidence-informed practice grows as well, and so that’s why we’re really pushing that element of ‘science-based’.”
Mr Stewart’s comments follow a call made at ICN Congress by Professor Janelle Yorke, head of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Nursing, for nursing being recognised under the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) umbrella.
From left, Howard Catton, David Stewart, Michelle Gunn
Howard Catton, ICN chief executive, further outlined how the new definitions could, and would, be used.
He explained that, currently, global institutions like the World Health Organization (WHO) use the International Labour Organisation-approved definition of nursing in their research.
That definition, Mr Catton said, was more “task-based” and often included non-professional workers under the broader “nursing” label, who are not registered nurses.
The ICN boss said he hoped that the ICN definition could be adopted when reports such as the State of the World’s Nursing were being compiled, in order to more accurately capture the realities of the profession.
“The data in the State of the World’s Nursing [report] is close to being very, very accurate – but we can’t just take it as a given because of the definition that they’re using,” he added.
In a statement published alongside the definitions, Mr Catton further said: “Nursing is humanity in motion, and that can make it difficult to define.
“But it is vital that we do define it to ensure that it is visible and valued.
“We urge all organisations to use our new definition in their policy, legal, standard setting, education and regulatory frameworks.”
ICN’s 2025 definition of a nurse (abridged)
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.
ICN’s 2025 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 healthcare organisations 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.
