About ICNP
The International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP) is an internationally recognised nursing terminology standard. It provides an agreed set of terms to record nurses' observations and interventions across care settings worldwide. ICNP provides a framework for sharing and comparing nursing practice data locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
There are a number of benefits associated with the use of ICNP. ICNP is helping to:
- increase nursing visibility, ensure safety and enhance quality
- ensure that nursing is adequately represented in multidisciplinary health information systems
- ensure that nurses have the information tools they need to meet the changing health and care needs of citizens
- enhance practice and support policy-making through national information standards
- support both general and specialist nursing practice across settings
- ensure that the contribution of nursing is accurately captured in resource management systems
- support evidence-based practice
ICN accredits a network of ICNP Research and Development Centres that support ICNP implementation, practice-based research and professional development. Centres contribute to ICNP development through the ICNP governance structure and use ICN's technical implementation guide to support ICNP deployment in their countries.
Since 2020, ICNP is embedded within SNOMED CT under a partnership agreement between ICN and SNOMED International. SNOMED International manages, produces and releases ICNP as part of SNOMED CT, the most widely used clinical terminology in the world. ICN retains ownership of ICNP and continues to define its nursing content, reaching a significantly broader global user base through the SNOMED platform.
For any questions related to ICNP, please contact us at [email protected]