The International Council of Nurses (ICN) publishes documents for International Nurses Day in May each year. This year’s report Empowered Nurses Save Lives is worth reviewing as a great resource at a challenging time for global health.
The report is organized according to “seven powers of empowered nurses” summarized in a figure on pages 8-9:
- The power of trust
- The power of the professional
- The power of numbers
- The power of practice
- The power of care
- The power of proximity
- The power of peace
Investing in empowered nursing is key to achieving global health outcomes. Case studies from different countries offer relevant examples of the impact of one or more powers. It is encouraging to read about nursing leadership in community-based care to improve access and health outcomes in Argentina, Uganda, Lebanon, Fiji, and other nations.
I have noticed that ICN is focusing on these powers in recent social media messages and continues to promote the report’s conclusion of investing for impact.
By Nora Whyte – July 26, 2026
I acknowledge with respect that I live on the Unceded traditional territory of the K’òmoks First Nation.