Author Archives: nora

Statements of Solidarity with American Nursing Organizations

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Nursing organizations have been reacting to recent news from the U.S. Department of Education on its plan to exclude nursing from the list of professional degree programs eligible for federal loan funding for graduate students.

The International Council of Nurses issued this statement during the ICN Board meeting in Geneva at the end of November: “ICN is speaking out because developments in the United States reflect challenges seen across the global nursing workforce” (ICN November 27, 2025). The European Federation of Nurses Associations also expressed concern in a press release issued on November 23.

In Canada, the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) made a strong statement on the value of graduate education for the future of the profession. CASN’s statement highlighted inclusion and equity in its support of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, and other bodies. Likewise, the Canadian Nurses Association expressed support for their American counterparts and wrote a letter to our federal Minister of Health, The Honourable Marjorie Michel. CNA’s letter seeks support from Minister Michel in three important aspects: Affirming nursing as a profession in Canadian policy and discourse;  Safeguarding access to nursing education in Canada; and Championing professional nursing in international and bilateral forums (CNA November 28, 2025).

In reflecting on the concerns expressed in the statements and in following discussion on social media, I am pleased to see the response to date by global bodies and by our Canadian organizations. We do need to pay attention and continue to promote sound policies to protect health care and nursing now and into future generations. I found it interesting to note that several other professions including public health and social work will face the same funding exclusion for graduate degree programs. We need educators and leaders in these vital fields along with nursing and related disciplines.

By Nora Whyte – December 3, 2025

I acknowledge with respect that I live on the Unceded traditional territory of the K’òmoks First Nation.

Summer 2025 Reflections

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This summer I have had mini-reunions with old friends, former colleagues, and people I knew through shared projects. Our conversations have touched on career highlights and new opportunities in retirement. Two discussions focused on our shared involvement in a project in India as we reflected on the work and travels that began almost 25 years ago. I feel fortunate that I was asked to participate in the work of the Canada India Education Society (CIES) with the University of British Columbia School of Nursing in partnership with the Guru Nanak Trust and College of Nursing at Dhahan-Kaleran, Punjab. I served on the UBC-Guru Nanak partnership committee and worked with CIES as a consultant on a primary health care project from 2001 to 2005. Later, in 2011 and 2012, I accompanied colleagues on two visits to Baba Farid University of Health Sciences in Faridkot, Punjab where we were invited to work with nurse educators, graduate students, and administrators. I remain grateful to have had such meaningful consulting projects and to have met so many interesting people through my work. There were memorable train trips and social events that we often recall when sharing stories as well as all the wonderful meals we enjoyed.  

International Council of Nurses & World Health Organization

The International Council of Nurses held its 30th Congress in Helsinki in June. I was sorry to miss participating this time; however, I did appreciate seeing photos and comments posted on social media as well as the daily summaries on the ICN website. Thanks to colleagues who posted from Helsinki and filled me in later. I signed up for a live streaming of the opening and closing ceremonies and plenaries to view some of the congress highlights. I missed the social aspect I had enjoyed at past congresses and the interactive policy cafés on topical issues, plus poster sessions, and the interaction with ICN staff and board members.

There were sessions on the newly released State of the World’s Nursing 2025 Report (WHO 2025) and many other topics relevant to the future of the profession. The report features chapters on progress on the key global strategic directions for nursing and midwifery: jobs/employment; education; service delivery; and leadership. Five emerging policy priorities for 2026 to 2030 are outlined in Chapter 9:

Further develop advanced practice nursing roles to increase access to high quality health services;

Address gender-related bias, including equitable and competitive wages;

Harness the potential of digital tools and technologies to meet population and health system needs;

Empower nurses to contribute to the climate agenda through education, advocacy, climate conscious practice in health settings and leadership; and,

Provide tailored support for nursing education, employment and working conditions in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings. (WHO 2025, pp. 100-102).

Although the full report is a long document, the executive summary is easy to review and readers can zero in on the chapters of greatest relevance to their own interests and contexts. I appreciated the concise overview of policy priorities in the executive summary. The report concludes with renewed urgency to address global inequities in nursing in keeping with the Sustainable Development Agenda.

As this summer season in Canada comes to a close, I reflect on the value of time with family, the chance to see old friends, and many hours enjoying our community and garden.

By Nora Whyte – August 27, 2025

I acknowledge with respect that I live and work on the Unceded traditional territory of the K’òmoks First Nation.

Election 2025: Thinking about health care

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The 2025 Canadian federal election campaign is taking place in the context of a global crisis and a serious threat to national sovereignty. Health care is a well-documented concern of Canadians in recent years although not the highest priority at this crucial moment. In an article in the Globe and Mail (April 8, 2025), Health Columnist André Picard writes about the opportunity for reform: The federal election is a chance to reform health care, if we would be so bold. He notes that this period of national unity is a chance to save and enhance medicare to improve primary care access and overcome system capacity issues. As Mr. Picard states “This is an ideal time to shore up medicare, to embrace and bolster a program that distinguishes us from Americans like no other. That’s what political leaders should be vowing to do.”

The Canadian Nurses Association has developed a comprehensive Election Platform with the tagline: “A Healthier Canada, Powered by Nurses: A Vision for 2025 and Beyond.” The platform outlines five priorities from CNA’s current policy work and feedback from members through a 2024 survey and pre-election webinars.   

Five Key Priorities for Federal Action:

  1. Improve Access & Quality by Implementing Bold Policy Levers
    Modernizing regulatory requirements and federal legislation will enable nurses to work to their full potential. This includes the development of national licensure, supporting ethical international recruitment, and strengthening data-driven workforce planning at the federal level.
  2. Unleash the True Value of the Nursing Workforce to Meet Population Health Needs
    Expanding team-based and nurse-led models of care, alongside increased investments in nursing leadership, education, and digital health, will achieve better outcomes at lower costs. This will help create a more responsive health system.
  3. Invest in the Well-Being of the Health Workforce & Prioritize National Workplace Protections
    Protecting nurses from workplace violence, moral distress, and mental health challenges is critical. CNA is calling on the federal government to implement national workplace protections and mental health supports for nurses.
  4. Tackle Social Determinants of Health & Invest in Planetary Health
    Addressing environmental factors such as housing, food security, and income stability, as well as reducing the health sector’s carbon footprint, is key to improving long-term health outcomes. Nurses are critical partners in this work.
  5. Strengthen Our Public Health System & Combat Mis-/Disinformation
    Strengthening pandemic preparedness, enhancing disease surveillance, and investing in public health infrastructure will ensure that Canada is ready for future health challenges. CNA also calls for increased efforts to combat misinformation about health, particularly with nurses leading evidence-based public education campaigns. (Source CNA 2025 Election Platform Summary).

CNA has prepared a guide for nurses: Tips to Get Involved in the Federal Election. In a webinar for members just before the election call, we were encouraged by the CNA team to be ready to amplify key messages, become active on social media, and use our own local networks. I acknowledge the work of our national nursing association in preparing for the election and in facilitating action by nurses at all career stages and settings.

The tips are useful and here’s the most important one: “Your vote is your voice. Make sure you are registered and take part in the election. Encourage your colleagues and those in your networks to do the same.” The need to combat misinformation and disinformation is increasingly important as emphasized in the platform and tips. I’m grateful for the role of our national professional association at this time and to acknowledge, also, the work of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, provincial and territorial organizations, and other national organizations including the Canadian Public Health Association and the Canadian Medical Association.

The Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN-ACESI) has released its election platform Educate Nurses, Elevate Care with excellent messages from leaders in nursing education. A central message is: “Meeting the current health care needs starts with investing in quality nursing education” as the platform makes the case for preparing future nurses for roles in primary care, promoting healthy communities, and in advancing health equity.

This election reminds me of following/tracking campaigns and results in the last decade. During past federal elections (2015 & 2019), I worked with colleagues Susan Duncan and Patrick Chiu to examine activities of our nursing organizations in the campaigns with a view to member engagement strategies and key policy messages. Our work at that time led to conference presentations and two publications:

Canadian Journal of Nursing Leadership Volume 29, No 4

Whyte, N.B., & Duncan, S.M. (2016). Engaging nursing voice and presence during the federal election campaign 2015. Canadian Journal of Nursing Leadership, 29(4): 19-34. https://doi.org/10.12927/cjnl.2016.24986

Canadian Journal of Nursing Research Volume 52, No 3

Chiu, P., Duncan, S., & Whyte, N. (2020). Charting a research agenda for the advancement of nursing organizations’ influence on health systems and policy. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 52(3), 185-193. https://doi.org/10.1177/0844562120928794

It was interesting to revisit our papers recently and to note our conclusions that nursing’s collective influence must be situated in policy research on health systems and ongoing political advocacy for health equity. Returning to Mr. Picard’s article, I echo his belief that this is the opportune time to reform the Canadian health system in a bold spirit of unity.

Comox Valley, British Columbia

By Nora Whyte – April 8, 2025

Note – Edited April 9, 2025 to include the CASN platform published on this date.

I acknowledge with respect that I live and work on the Unceded traditional territory of the K’òmoks First Nation.

Primary Health Care & Universal Health Coverage 2024

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The International Council of Nurses (ICN) released an important discussion paper in September 2024. Nursing and Primary Health Care: Towards the Realization of Universal Health Coverage authored by David Stewart, Madrean Schober, and Howard Catton.

As I write this blog just after December 12 – Universal Health Coverage Day – it is an opportune time to reflect on the topic of the paper and its recommendations. The paper is well organized  making it easy to work through its main body and appendices. Brief case studies are interspersed showcasing nursing leadership and innovations in different health systems and contexts.

In the introduction, the authors point out many of the current realities that stand in the way of achieving universal health coverage: resource constraints, fragmented care, underutilization of nurses, and lack of teamwork. They trace key developments in the PHC movement referring to the major global conferences and declarations – Alma-Ata (1978) and Astana (2018) – emphasizing foundational principles of primary health care. I was glad to see the sidebar quotation (page 8) on the difference between PHC and primary care, often a source of confusion.

Chapter 1: The case for change reviews the challenges and documented gaps. The value of PHC in improving population health outcomes is highlighted here. The focus on patients and a greater orientation to community control are highlighted throughout the discussion as is the case for funding. The key role of PHC in public health emergencies is illustrated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This chapter ends with a timely reminder about the vital aspect of PHC in delivering vaccination programs. Nurses have a key role in managing and delivering immunizations to all age groups and in a multitude of community settings.

Chapter 2: Reimaging the possibilities of nurses in primary health care. This chapter focuses on roles including advanced practice and documents how countries are promoting team-based models. Details are provided in tables and illustrations as well as in the case studies. The authors note that digital health is becoming more relevant to PHC education and practice and encourage innovation by nurses in design of appropriate digital tools.

Finally, it’s worth reading the conclusion; I find myself in complete agreement with the points offered including this statement: “PHC should be at the highest priority for governments because it is the cornerstone of a sustainable health system.” (page 51).

Appendix 1 offers a summary of ICN’s recent work on PHC highlighting papers, position statements, media initiatives, and ongoing partnerships.

The summary of the authors’ recommendations found in Appendix 2 is a useful tool organized into four groupings:

  1. Care coordination
  2. Integrated and team-based PHC
  3. Advanced practice nurses
  4. PHC nursing workforce

The recommendations encompass ideas for health system change, advocacy, interdisciplinary education, and action by professional associations. One of the many nursing workforce recommendations is to “increase the voice of PHC nurses in policy development and high-level decision making” (page 55).

Reading this rich discussion paper and reflecting on the interesting case studies reminded me of visits to primary health care centres in past travels to Aotearoa/New Zealand, Australia, Nepal, India, and at home in Canada. I wrote about experiences in Japan in my August 2024 blog Public Health Nursing in Japan: Then and Now reflecting on strengths of their system as it has developed. My appreciation of the reality of PHC is rooted also in early career experiences in a community health centre in rural Manitoba and at the Alexandra PHC Clinic in urban South Africa. In my home province of British Columbia, I worked with a coalition that promoted the CHC model and development of a network leading to the establishment of the British Columbia Association of Community Health Centres. Sometimes I wonder why we haven’t made greater progress when so many well-established centres exist as models in many countries including Canada. 

An excellent resource in Canada is the Canadian Association of Community Health Centres with member CHCs across the country. As highlighted on its website CACHC is “the federal voice for Community Health Centres and community-oriented, people-centred primary health care across Canada.” Recent announcements following provincial elections in New Brunswick and British Columbia provide optimism for new centres on the horizon in 2025.

It has been a turbulent year in geopolitics including concerns about the interconnected issues of conflicts, environmental crises, and global health. The positive messages of the 2024 ICN discussion paper do offer us hope for a time when universal health coverage is realized.

By Nora Whyte – December 17, 2024

I acknowledge with respect that I live and work on the Unceded traditional territory of the K’òmoks First Nation.

Public Health Nursing in Japan: Then and Now

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An editorial in The Lancet caught my attention earlier this summer and started me thinking about past visits to Japan and many encounters with Japanese public health nurses. The editorial by Richard Horton –  Offline: Japan’s Hidden Secret – refers to comments made at a global meeting by Dr. Hajime Inoue, an Assistant Minister in the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. Speaking at a side-event at the 2024 World Health Assembly, Dr. Inoue pointed out the impressive contributions of the country’s 53,000 public health nurses in achieving positive population health outcomes. I enjoyed reading the description of current public health nursing roles and the recognition given by The Lancet in sharing the successful model from Japan.

Early in my consulting career, I was asked if I would take on a role of coordinating a study tour to British Columbia for a group of nursing leaders from the Japanese Nursing Association (JNA). Their 1994 tour – funded by a grant to JNA by the Ministry of Health and Welfare – had the purpose of learning how health systems in various countries were embarking on health policy reforms. JNA sent groups to other countries during a two-year period and compiled reports from each tour. The study tours explored ways in which nurses were taking on new responsibilities in community health including home care.

Following the 1994 study tour, I received a lovely invitation from the JNA in 1995 to visit Japan to meet with nursing leaders including tour members as they worked on promoting new policies and roles in public health nursing and home care to meet changing demographics. It was a professional highlight and a great honour to serve as a consultant during two trips in 1995 and 1996. Connections made in that period led to further visits by Japanese colleagues to Canada as well as collaboration on documents and one journal publication. 

I was proud to be a co-author with three colleagues on an article published in Public Health Nursing in 1999 (25 years ago!). It was a rewarding collaborative effort to write the paper and to see it in print: Murashima, S., Hatono, Y.,  Whyte, N., & Asahara, K. (1999). Public Health Nursing in Japan: New Opportunities for Health Promotion. Public Health Nursing, 16 (2), 133-139.

As noted in our abstract, we outlined the history, organization, and new opportunities identified at that time:

“Major changes are taking place in public health nursing in Japan. These include significant developments in employment, education, and roles of public health nurses (PHNs). Demographic and economic factors have prompted the Japanese government to focus health service delivery on community-based care, particularly for the growing elderly population. Public health nurses are redefining their roles and are assuming important functions in planning, implementing, and evaluating community health programs for the elderly. Japanese PHNs are using a variety of health promotion strategies to initiate change at the local level. This article presents two case studies to highlight the leadership role of PHNs in creating new services that foster healthy communities” (Murashima et al., 1999, p. 133).

My later involvement involved visits to Japanese universities to conduct seminars with students and faculty and participation in two conferences. I met PHN leaders in their communities where they gave me tours of public health centres and described current successes and challenges.

Visit to a Public Health Centre

Throughout these visits, I remember many interesting informal discussions, wonderful meals, and time to enjoy the beauty of Japan in both rural and urban areas. Above all, I remember the great kindness of the nurses and others in each place I visited.

Dinner with Students at Kochi College of Nursing, 2000.

As Richard Horton notes, “public health nurses evolved to be a unique comparative advantage enjoyed by Japan’s rapidly advancing health system” and asks why we are not sharing national experiences more widely (Horton, 2024, p. 2578). I agree fully and believe we need to continue to learn from policy and practice experiences in other countries.

Kochi Castle

By Nora Whyte – August 25, 2024

I acknowledge with respect that I live and work on the Unceded traditional territory of the K’òmoks First Nation.

Nurses in the News

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National Nursing Week in Canada is around the corner (May 6 to 12) and it is fitting to think about nurses in the news and how our vast experiences and perspectives are profiled. We often talk about the need for a much greater presence in the public media in our communities and around the country.

Two nurses who are bringing their expertise to the public discussion about health care in Canada are Amie-Archibald Varley and Sara Fung, co-hosts of The Gritty Nurse Podcast and authors of The Wisdom of Nurses. Since the release of their book, they are in demand for interviews and book signings. As I’m reading their book, I’m thinking about their questions and the multiple issues they raise about the profession. I’m pleased to see the attention the book is getting on social media and to learn that it has become a bestseller already.

Amie and Sara pose the question: “How many famous nurses can you name?” and then go on to share profiles of nurses from the past as well as current nurses who are well-known for their advocacy and contributions to changes in nursing and health care in Canada. They weave in their own personal stories – including their experiences in nursing school – as they describe their career paths in hospitals and, ultimately, the realization that they needed to make changes in their professional lives. They have included chapters by contributing authors to round out diverse voices and experiences.

I have no hesitation in recommending it and hope that readers will discuss it with people in their workplaces, in policy meetings, and in nursing schools across the country. Part of that discussion could explore the collective influence of nurses, thinking beyond one individual “famous nurse” to the groups of courageous nurses who came together to form nursing associations and unions not only in the distant past but also within the last 25 to 50 years. I’m thinking of the Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association, the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association, our national specialty groups, and the newly formed professional associations of the past 5 to 10 years, including the Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC in my home province.

Looking beyond our borders, we can celebrate the voice of national and global nursing organizations exerting their collective influence in reforming health systems and leading vital policy work. A great example is found in this recent announcement from the International Council of Nurses (ICN).

Dr. Cipriano, president of ICN will co-chair the global Steering Committee on Universal Health Coverage, known as ‘UHC2030’ with Dr. Magda Robalo:

UHC2030 warmly welcomes new co-chairs Dr Magda Robalo and Dr Pamela Cipriano – UHC2030

I feel fortunate that I have known famous nurses in my nursing lifetime, both in Canada and in countries I have visited for conferences and as a consultant. Memorable individuals and visionary groups of nurse leaders give me hope this Nursing Week.

By Nora Whyte – April 29, 2024

I acknowledge with respect that I live and work on the Unceded traditional territory of the K’òmoks First Nation.

Highlights of 2023

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My professional highlight of 2023 was attending the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress in Montreal in July. I wrote about the experience in my summer post on the ICN Congress and have been reflecting on both the content and organization of the event since then. I was glad to meet new people and also to renew acquaintances with colleagues, some of whom I am connected with on social media and enjoy following their updates and commentary.

Photo credit: Renata Mares

The ICN Congress provided opportunities to hear from people I follow such as James Buchan and Howard Catton who discussed their report published by ICN Recover to Rebuild: Investing in the Health Workforce for Health System Effectiveness. Their key message is “that without sufficient investment in well-supported nurses there can be no effective healthcare system recovery and rebuild” (Buchan & Catton, 2023, p. 4).

The experience in Montreal alerted me to watch for and share statements from Dr. Pamela Cipriano, ICN President, and Howard Catton, CEO, in the latter half of the year during the UN General Assembly and other global meetings. Continuing on its important ‘Nurses for Peace’ campaign, the ICN Board issued a strong statement in November on the Israel-Gaza conflict and maintains a dynamic presence on social media. See links below to recent statements:

UN Declaration on Universal Health Care

Universal Healthcare Day Statement

Climate and Health Declaration at COP28

Statement on the Israel-Gaza Conflict

In addition to the experience of the sessions at the ICN Congress, I participated in several webinars offered throughout the year including events hosted by the Canadian Nurses Association: the annual meeting in June and a town hall in September. A notable webinar at the end of the year was a highly informative session with Natalie Bryant from Australia featuring her current work on ‘Indigenist Critical Policy Analysis’. Grounded in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, it is a framework for assessing organizational policies to determine whether they uphold Indigenous rights and address issues in their policy processes. I look forward to learning more about using the framework. Thanks to the BC Indigenous Health Nursing Research Program and the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Nursing Services Department for hosting this session.

My consulting focused on work with the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council as we concluded a community-based research project last year. As a team member, it was satisfying to have our article published in the Canadian Journal of Nursing Leadership:

Watts. J., Bourque Bearskin, L. Blackstone, D.  Christiansen, S. Young, K., Charleson, J., Charleson, R., Fraser, J., Sangster-Gormley, E., Dick, V., Duncan, S., & Whyte, N. (2023). Nursing the Nuu-chah-nulth Way: Communities driving nursing policy priorities. Canadian Journal of Nursing Leadership, 35(4), 55–67. doi:10.12927/cjnl.2023.27073

Another major highlight was the 50th Reunion of our UBC School of Nursing Class (BSN 1973) in May. It was a great, happy time of reminiscing and also gave us a chance to have conversations with classmates about our careers, families, and current interests. We spent time on the UBC campus and had a lovely evening at the Vancouver home of a classmate, Sherri Adams. The reunion committee did a fantastic job of arranging this milestone celebration!

My personal and professional worlds are intertwined in multiple ways. I think back on discussions this past year with a core group of friends and colleagues where the topics have covered writing and reading, conferences, career and retirement decisions, personal changes, the state of the world, travel, and gardening. Supportive friends, family, and close colleagues make it all worthwhile as the years go by.

By Nora Whyte – January 5, 2024

I acknowledge with respect that I live and work on the Unceded traditional territory of the K’òmoks First Nation.

Winter 2023 in the Comox Valley

Universal Health Coverage: New Political Declaration

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Earlier this year I wrote about Universal Health Coverage (UHC) being on the agenda for 2023 in anticipation of the United Nations High-Level Meeting on UHC. The meeting took place in New York this September during the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The resulting political declaration adopted on September 21 is entitled “Universal Health Coverage: expanding our ambition for health and well-being in a post-COVID world.”

The Political Declaration has 109 points beginning with background on past agreements and UNGA resolutions and moving into our current global context including urgent action needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The World Health Organization issued a media release on September 21 celebrating the approved declaration with its strong focus on primary health care:

“In the Political Declaration, Heads of State and world leaders committed to take key national actions, make essential investments, strengthen international cooperation and global solidarity at the highest political level to accelerate progress towards UHC by 2030, using a primary health care (PHC) approach.

For health care to be truly universal, it requires a shift from health systems designed around diseases to systems designed for people. PHC, an approach to strengthening health systems centred on people’s needs, is one of the most effective areas for investment to accelerate progress towards UHC.”

Further, as stated in the declaration , political leaders are called to recognize and act upon the health inequities that exist within and among countries. Throughout the document there is a call for greater political commitment along with global solidarity and cooperation to tackle “social, economic, environmental and other determinants of health” and to eliminate barriers to health care access. There are numerous points on Health Human Resources highlighting the need for national governments to invest in their health workforce and to attend to issues of migration.

UHC2030 Coalition

The UHC2030 Coalition continues its excellent advocacy as well as its educational work on UHC. The Action Agenda serves as a clear framework: Action Agenda from the UHC Movement – UHC2030

Credit: UHC2030 Coalition

See also the statement issued on September 26: Statement of the UHC2030 co-chairs on the adoption of the Political Declaration on Universal Health Coverage – UHC2030

International Council of Nurses

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) was represented at the UNGA by President Dr. Pam Cipriano who gave presentations during the High-Level Meetings on Health. It was great to know that ICN brought strong global nursing expertise and presence to the deliberations. ICN had contributed to the Action Agenda as a member of UN High-Level Meeting Task Force. As Dr. Cipriano stated:

“The political declaration gives governments an opportunity to make a clearsighted and enduring change that will make a real difference by giving everyone equitable access to the health care that they need. Governments must not only make these commitments; They must follow through with the necessary investment to make these historic changes a reality that will benefit many millions of people who currently have little or no access to basic health care.”

ICN’s coverage included these media releases:

https://www.icn.ch/news/icn-president-says-universal-health-coverage-will-only-be-achieved-2030-if-there-dramatic

https://www.icn.ch/news/icn-president-calls-resilient-health-systems-un-high-level-meeting-pandemic-prevention

Much more will be written about the UHC movement, the SDGs and the UHC 2030 action agenda. We need to ensure that the momentum is sustained along with the renewed enthusiasm for primary health care.

Credit: World Health Organization

By Nora Whyte – September 27, 2023

I acknowledge with respect that I live and work on the Unceded traditional territory of the K’òmoks First Nation.

ICN Congress 2023

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Volunteers welcoming delegates
Credit: Renata Mares

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) held its 2023 Congress in Montreal from July 1 to 5, co-hosted by the Canadian Nurses Association. It marked the first in-person congress since 2019 and attracted 6,200 nurses from 145 countries. 

Delegates at ICN Congress, in national dress, before opening ceremony.
Delegates before opening ceremony – July 1st.

The congress theme – Nurses together: a force for global health – was evident throughout the event with inspiring plenary sessions by global leaders. In particular, I enjoyed several panel presentations featuring leaders from different countries and two policy cafés facilitated by ICN staff. Although it was impossible to take in all the presentations, it helped to talk with other participants about sessions they had attended. A customized congress app provided the daily schedule and access to all the abstracts and e-posters; it served as a useful tool throughout the event and to review information later.

Three volunteers at Booth at ICN Congress.
Volunteers at ICN Booth
Credit: Renata Mares

Plenary sessions focused on nursing workforce issues in the aftermath of the pandemic. I noticed greater awareness about ethical international recruitment practices and the urgency to ensure safe working environments. ICN leaders highlighted the new Charter for Change directed at government policy actions as the focus of a campaign, “Our Nurses. Our Future.” On the final day, we listened to powerful video presentations by nursing leaders living through current conflicts and disasters; we were touched by their courage in the midst of all the losses they have experienced.

Policy café: (Left to right) Mr. Howard Catton,
Dr. Amelia Tuipulotu & Dr. James Buchan

The new WHO Chief Nurse, Dr. Amelia Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu, was an active presence throughout the congress (and I was so pleased to have had a chance to speak with her at the end!). She moderated an excellent session on the current global agenda for nursing and midwifery in the context of Universal Health Coverage and also spoke about the importance of nurses’ voices in health policy.

Personal highlights included seeing people I’ve known over the years, especially nursing leaders from other countries and Canadian friends and colleagues. As we’ve remarked to one another, the mood was somewhat sombre and we sensed the fatigue nurses have experienced from the pandemic period along with global conflicts and humanitarian disasters. Some of the usual excitement found in these gatherings was missing although many attendees were enthusiastic about the opportunity to be together in Montreal. I especially enjoyed hearing impressions from first-time participants.

Outdoor Break at Congress Centre

Social media provided a glimpse into participants’ reactions to sessions and meetings throughout the congress. It gave us a sense of what was happening and who was attending; I made some new social media connections too! The ICN team sent out a daily summary each evening and used the app to notify participants of the next day’s sessions. The entire event required comprehensive planning and communication. Thank you to all the board members and staff of ICN and CNA for your leadership, along with many nurses who served on committees. The on-site volunteers – visible in their red shirts – were a great help to participants throughout the five days.

Dr. Carolyn Pepler & Renata Mares
Credit: Renata Mares

At the closing ceremony, a new ICN logo was launched – now featured on the revamped website. Visit the ICN Website for summaries of the congress and informative items about pre-congress meetings including the Student Assembly and the Council of National Representatives. During the closing ceremony, the Finnish Nurses Association issued a lovely invitation to the next ICN Congress to be held in Helsinki in June 2025. Please see this summary of the closing session: ICN Congress in Montreal closes with inspiring ceremony and the launch of its new visual image and logo | ICN – International Council of Nurses

By Nora Whyte – July 26, 2023

Updated: July 30, 2023

Thanks to Renata Mares for her kindness in sharing her photos of ICN volunteers and for giving me permission to use them in this post.

I acknowledge with respect that I live and work on the Unceded traditional territory of the K’òmoks First Nation.

New ICN Campaign: “Our Nurses. Our Future”

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The International Council of Nurses (ICN) launched an exciting new campaign – “Our Nurses. Our Future.” – on International Nurses Day, May 12, 2023. A key resource is a ten-point Charter for Change that provides guidance for the future.

Courtesy of ICN – 2023

The first point sets the tone for global health action:

“Protect and invest in the nursing profession to rebuild health systems that can deliver the Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage to improve global health. Recognise and value health and health care as an investment not a cost. Secure commitments for investment to maintain equitable and people-centred care.“

Each point is worth attention and action this year. I will reflect on point 8 as we prepare for the ICN Congress in Montreal this July:

“Actively and meaningfully engage national nursing associations as critical professional partners in all aspects of health and social care policy, delivery and leadership as the experienced and trusted voice of nursing. Build local, national and global multilateral partnerships.”

On this day, I am reminded of warm connections with international colleagues I have met through partnerships, exchange visits and conferences over many decades. In particular I’m thinking about the nurses, faculty members and students at Guru Nanak College of Nursing in Punjab and my friends at the Canada India Education Society and UBC School of Nursing. The hospitality and conversations were wonderful! Also remembering nurse leaders I met and admired in the Japanese Nursing Association and the Democratic Nursing Organization of South Africa (DENOSA). Thank you and best wishes for International Nurses Day and beyond!

By Nora Whyte – May 12, 2023

I acknowledge with respect that I live and work on the Unceded traditional territory of the K’òmoks First Nation.

Congress Banner courtesy of ICN.