Webinar: Embedding ICN Nursing Definitions into Global Regulation
ICN has released updated global Definitions of Nursing and of a Nurse, marking an important milestone in clarifying the nature, purpose and boundaries of the profession worldwide. These definitions provide a shared foundation for understanding nursing roles, informing regulation, education and workforce planning, and supporting coherent scope‑of‑practice decisions across diverse legal and policy environments.
As health systems face increasing complexity, evolving models of care and persistent workforce pressures, many regulatory frameworks remain fragmented or misaligned with contemporary practice. This webinar will explore how the ICN Definitions can serve as a foundation for modern, capability‑based approaches to nursing regulation, examining their relevance for scope of practice, governance, education, accreditation, workforce sustainability and professional wellbeing.
Date: 21 April 2026
Time: 13:30 – 15:00 CEST (Check your local time)
Interpretation: English, French, Spanish
Registration link: here
Continuous Professional Development: Participants who attend the entire webinar and complete the postevent survey will be awarded 1.5 International Continuing Nursing Education Credits (ICNEC).
Key themes
• Scope of practice and capability-based regulation
• Regulatory coherence and governance
• Education, accreditation, and workforce wellbeing
Speakers
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Dr José Luis Cobos Serrano – President, International Council of Nurses
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Dr Michelle Gunn – Head of Practice and Regulations, ICN
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Professor Mary Chiarella – Nursing and health regulation expert
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Dr Phil Dickison – CEO, National Council of State Boards of Nursing
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Ms Sun Rae Shin - Previous ICN Board Member
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Mr Felipe Cortes Leddy – Chief Nurse Officer
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Mr Howard Catton – Chief Executive Officer, ICN
Objectives
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Build a shared understanding of the ICN Definitions of ‘Nursing’ and of ‘a Nurse’ and their importance as foundational reference points for the profession and for modern approaches to nursing regulation.
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Explore the relationship between professional definitions and scope of nursing practice, including how clear definitions support safe, accountable and context-appropriate scope decisions.
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Examine the transition from task-based regulatory models to capability-based approaches, and consider how professional judgement, competence and education underpin contemporary nursing practice.
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Strengthen understanding of how regulators, professional bodies and health system leaders can address complex regulatory challenges in evolving models of care, including the design of coherent regulatory systems.
Agenda
| Time CEST | Speaker | Presentation |
| 13:30-13:35 | Dr José Luis Cobos Serrano | Opening remarks |
| 13:35-13:50 | Dr Michelle Gunn | The ICN Definitions of Nursing and their Regulatory Implications |
| 13:50-14:05 | Professor Mary Chiarella | From Task-Based Regulation to Capability-Based Practice |
| 14:05-14:20 | Dr Phil Dickison | Global Regulatory Systems Perspective |
| 14:20-14:30 | Ms Sun Rae Shin | Implications for Nursing Education and Accreditation |
| 14:30-14:40 | Mr Felipe Cortes Leddy | Regulation, Professional Identity and Nurse Well-being |
| 14:40-14:55 | Mr Howard Catton | Q&A session |
| 14:55-15:00 | Mr Howard Catton | Closing remarks |
Useful resources
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Definitions position statement - coming soon