
Empowering nurses to lead in times of crisis. Nursing Leadership for Crisis Response and Recovery (NLCRR) is a leadership development project designed to support mid-career and senior nurses in Ukraine. It provides training in crisis leadership, mental health support, communication, and healthcare recovery through a blend of online and in-person learning.
| Module | Type | Description | Status |
| 1 | Online/Hybrid learning | Flexible online curriculum to build your leadership foundation | Completed |
| 2 | In-person workshop (in Ukraine) | 4-day interactive training with global experts and peer learning | Completed |
| 3 | Online mastermind group | Ongoing development and collaboration through peer-led groups | Completed |
The NLCRR initiative in Ukraine marked the first pilot implementation of the programme globally. The programme was delivered through a blended learning model combining online learning, peer collaboration, and in-person engagement. The first NLCRR cohort was successfully completed by 23 mid-career and senior nurses from across Ukraine, marking a major milestone for the programme and demonstrating strong commitment, resilience, and leadership within the nursing community. Their engagement established a strong foundation for future expansion of the programme.
A key highlight of the programme was the 4-day in-person Module 2 workshop held in Ukraine, which brought participants together for intensive learning, peer exchange, and collaboration with international and national experts. This event strengthened trust, deepened professional connections, and reinforced a growing leadership network within Ukraine’s challenging healthcare environment.
> 8
The programme concluded with its final phase focused on reflection, peer learning, and practical application of leadership skills. Participants demonstrated strong teamwork, critical thinking, and leadership development through collaborative discussions and final presentations. The successful completion of all programme components provided rich insights into the unique leadership needs of nurses operating in high stress, rapidly changing environments and confirmed the effectiveness of the NLCRR model in supporting nurse leaders in crisis and recovery settings.
The NLCRR pilot in Ukraine delivered meaningful impact and valuable learning for future programme development. The experience and outcomes of this first cohort provide a strong foundation for scaling leadership initiatives in similar contexts globally. As a pilot programme, NLCRR in Ukraine generated strong evidence of impact and relevance. Building on this success, ICN is now exploring opportunities to adapt and implement the NLCRR model in other countries facing similar or even more severe crisis and recovery contexts, using the lessons learned in Ukraine to inform future leadership development initiatives worldwide.
“Thank you for your support and professional mentorship. Such an assessment is not only a recognition of our teamwork, but also an additional motivation for further development of the initiative and its practical implementation.”
“I gained key insights that go beyond traditional management and focus on situational adaptability, ethical decision-making.”
“Exchange of experience and a lot of information from cool speakers. The modules on crisis management, communication in stressful situations, self-help and team support during crisis recovery were particularly useful. Practical examples, interactive tasks, and sharing experiences with colleagues from different regions helped me to better understand my own potential as a leader.”
Our strategic partner
Our collaborator
For any questions, please refer to our FAQ or contact us at [email protected]
The second module of ICN's first Nursing Leadership for Crisis Response and Recovery (NLCRR) programme has been successfully delivered onsite in Ukraine with a cohort of 24 Ukrainian nurses in leadership positions across the country's healthcare system, selected competitively from 400 applications.
10 November 2025
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has officially launched the pilot version of the Nursing Leadership for Crisis Response and Recovery (NLCRR) programme, the latest in its efforts to promote and support leadership development as critical to building nursing capacity and strengthening workforces.
19 September 2025
The International Council of Nurses has launched a new leadership programme for experienced nurses who are responding to the current crisis in Ukraine, brought about by the invasion and ongoing war with Russia.
14 May 2025