Honouring the life and work of Professor Nick Hardiker
It is with profound sorrow that the International Council of Nurses (ICN) announces the passing of Professor Nick Hardiker, RN, PhD, Director of ICN’s International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP) Programme, a pioneering figure in global nursing informatics, and a true friend to many at ICN.
Under Nick’s stewardship, ICNP grew not only as a standardized terminology but as a global resource that strengthened nursing practice, research, and policy. His contributions spanned the development, transition and evolution of ICNP, shaping it into the seminal nursing language product it is today. He played a critical role in the harmonization of ICNP with SNOMED CT and the Clinical Care Classification, and it was thanks to his leadership that ICNP has remained aligned with broader international informatics standards.
Nick was a Registered Nurse with a background in General Nursing, and Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees in Computer Science from the University of Manchester, UK. He served as Associate Dean and Dean of the University of Huddersfield. Nick held Digital Health leadership roles at the UK Royal College of Nursing and was Editor-in-Chief of Informatics for Health and Social Care for 10 years. He also served as Professor of Nursing and Health Informatics at the Greater Manchester University and chair of the Chief Nursing Information Officer Network. More recently, he served as Vice Chair (Working Groups) and Chair Elect of the International Medical Informatics Association Nursing Informatics Working Group, and was a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, the Chartered Management Institute, the American Academy of Nursing, and the American College of Medical Informatics.
In 2017, Nick received the Virginia K. Saba Informatics Award for his contributions to nursing informatics. A scholar at heart, Nick was also a respected academic whose research greatly advanced the field of nursing informatics. His contributions to the profession will continue to shape nursing and health informatics for generations.
Nick mentored countless students, practitioners, and colleagues who now carry forward his commitment to improving health through better information. He had a rare ability to make complex ideas accessible, to bring people together, and to inspire confidence in those around him.
Nick was internationally known and respected for his informatics expertise. His work extended far beyond classification. He believed strongly that data and common nursing language were essential not for administrative purposes alone, but to analyse and demonstrate the real impact of nurses and nursing practice. His vision helped advance the understanding of how informatics can elevate nursing globally.
Nick’s passing is a tragedy for all who knew him, not only in terms of his decades-long passion for improving nursing practice through informatics, but also for the affection and respect he commanded from colleagues. His reliability, deep expertise, and unwavering belief in his work continued even during his illness. He remained active and dedicated up to very recently even delivering sessions on ICNP at the ICN Congress in Helsinki in July.
Howard Catton, ICN’s Chief Executive Officer, paid tribute to Nick’s life and work, saying:
“Everyone at ICN is saddened by the loss of Nick Hardiker who had been working for many decades with ICN on our eHealth and ICNP programmes. So many of us worked closely with him and highly appreciated his quiet, understated manner and his brilliant mind. I had the honour of knowing Nick for the past 20 years as we began our time at the Royal College of Nursing together. I had the opportunity to continue that relationship while at ICN and was fortunate to deliver many Congress sessions with Nick over the years. Nick was synonymous with ICNP, widely recognized as its enduring champion. I truly believe that ICNP could not have endured for so many decades without his leadership and persistence. He will be greatly missed.”
David Stewart, ICN’s Director of Nursing and Health Policy, added,
“I first met Nick nearly ten years ago when I joined ICN. From that first conversation, I saw a consummate professional who combined intellect with kindness and a quiet determination to make nursing more visible in health care. For all that he achieved, I—and many others—will remember Nick most as a true gentleman, friend and colleague. In his presence you admired his intellect, but it was his humility, honesty and the way he valued people that stayed with you.”
Nick’s legacy lives on in the global systems he helped build, the professionals he guided, and the countless patients whose care is better because of his contributions. He leaves behind a community profoundly grateful for his life and deeply saddened by his passing.