Regulation and Education

Regulation of the nursing protects the public by establishing and enforcing standards for conduct, education and practice. It benefits both healthcare providers and the public as it helps to advance nursing education and practice quality and improve the mobility of nurses between countries. Regulatory bodies are also increasingly responsible for producing and maintaining data and evidence about the health workforce. 

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, health care professionals, supplies, equipment and infrastructure shortages have resulted in emergency declarations and regulatory and educational changes. Moving forward, there is an urgent need to rapidly increase the capacity and capability of the nursing workforce. To ensure that the highest quality of care is affordable, safe and accessible to the public, nursing education and regulation must continue to evolve and keep pace with the times. 

From the very beginnings of ICN’s history, the organization has been the global leader for promoting and guiding nursing education and regulation. ICN continues its work in this area to protect the public, serve populations and support the advancement and evolution of the nursing profession. 

ICN resources

2021 - ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses

PDF (345 KB)

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2021 - Eastern, Central and Southern African (ECSA) region: Education and Labor Market for Nurses

PDF (3 MB)

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2021 - POLICY BRIEF: Nursing education and the emerging nursing workforce in COVID-19 pandemic

PDF (727 KB)

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2020 - Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) guidelines

PDF (13 MB)

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List of regulatory bodies

PDF (230 KB)

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2014 - Regulatory Board - Toolkit

PDF (2 MB)

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2012 - Toolkit Complaints management

PDF (246 KB)

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2012 - Handbook Entrepreneurial practice

PDF (334 KB)

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2010 - It's your career, take charge - Workbook

PDF (2 MB)

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2010 - It's your career, take charge - Trainer's manual

PDF (3 MB)

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2010 - Job evaluation

PDF (699 KB)

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2010 - ICN Scope of nursing & decision making toolkit

PDF (2 MB)

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2010 - Guideline Law in the workplace

PDF (175 KB)

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2010 - Guideline Essential services

PDF (135 KB)

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2010 - Guideline Career moves migration

PDF (156 KB)

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