INTERNATIONAL NURSING PRACTICE STANDARDS

INTRODUCTION
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has established standards for nursing
practice globally. Here are some key international nursing practice standards:
ICN Standards
1. Definition of Nursing: Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of
individuals, families, and communities.
2. Nursing Scope of Practice: Nurses provide preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care, as
well as health education and promotion.
3. Code of Ethics: Nurses adhere to a code of ethics that respects human rights, dignity, and
confidentiality.
4. Continuing Professional Development: Nurses engage in ongoing education and
professional development to maintain competence.
5. International nursing practice standards:
International nursing practice standards are guidelines that define the professional,
ethical, and clinical responsibilities of nurses to ensure safe, effective, and ethical care
globally.
International Nursing Practice Standards
1. Assessment: Conduct comprehensive and ongoing assessments of patients' physical,
emotional, and social needs.
2. Diagnosis: Develop and implement nursing diagnoses based on assessment data.
3. Planning: Collaborate with patients and healthcare teams to develop individualized care
plans.
4. Implementation: Provide evidence-based nursing interventions to achieve patient
outcomes.
5. Evaluation: Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of nursing care and make adjustments
as needed.
Safety and Quality Standards
1. Patient Safety: Prioritize patient safety by minimizing risks and promoting a safe care
environment.
2. Infection Control: Implement infection control measures to prevent and manage infections.
3. Medication Management: Ensure accurate and safe medication administration.
4. Documentation: Maintain accurate and timely documentation of patient care.
Cultural Competence and Diversity Standards
Cultural Awareness: Recognize and respect the cultural diversity of patients and families.
2. Language Support: Provide language support and interpretation services as needed.
3. Individualized Care: Tailor care to meet the unique needs and preferences of each patient.

Technology and Informatics Standards

1. Electronic Health Records: Utilize electronic health records to document and manage
patient care.
2. Telehealth: Provide telehealth services to expand access to care.
3. Data Analytics: Apply data analytics to inform nursing practice and improve patient
outcomes.
These international nursing practice standards provide a framework for nurses worldwide to
deliver high-quality, patient-centered care.
KEY ELEMENTS OF INTERNATIONAL NURSING PRACTICE STANDARDS:
1. Professional Competence
Nurses are expected to maintain professional knowledge, skills, and competencies
through continuous education and training to provide high-quality care.
Examples:
Lifelong Learning: Engaging in continuing education and professional development.
Evidence-Based Practice: Using research and clinical evidence to guide care decisions.
2. Ethical Practice
Nurses must adhere to ethical principles, including respect for autonomy, beneficence,
nonmaleficence, and justice.
Examples:
Confidentiality: Safeguarding patient information.
Advocacy: Acting in the best interests of patients and com
Adhering to national and international laws, regulations, and standards relevant to nursing
practice.
Examples:
Licensing and certification requirements.
Compliance with workplace policies and labor laws.
3. Person-Centered Care
Providing holistic and culturally sensitive care that respects patients' values, preferences, and
needs.
Examples:
Cultural Competence: Understanding and respecting cultural differences.
Informed Consent: Ensuring patients understand their care options.
4. Collaboration and Teamwork
Nurses must work effectively with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive
care.
Examples:
Participating in interdisciplinary teams.
Clear and effective communication.
5. Health Promotion and Education
Nurses are responsible for promoting health and preventing illness through education
and community engagement.
Examples:
Conducting public health campaigns.
Educating patients on self-care and chronic disease management.
6. Safety and Risk Management
Ensuring patient safety and minimizing risks through proper protocols and practices.
Examples:
Following infection control guidelines.
Reporting and addressing errors promptly.
7. Legal Compliance
Adhering to national and international laws, regulations, and standards relevant to
nursing practice.
Examples:
Licensing and certification requirements.
Compliance with workplace policies and labor laws.
8. Leadership and Advocacy
Nurses should take leadership roles in healthcare settings and advocate for better
policies and systems to improve patient care.
Examples:
Leading quality improvement initiatives.
Advocating for equitable healthcare access.
Key Organizations Influencing Standards
International Council of Nurses (ICN): Develops frameworks like the ICN Code of Ethics for
Nurses.
World Health Organization (WHO): Provides global guidelines on healthcare delivery and
nursing roles.
National Nursing Councils: Adapt international standards to local contexts.
These standards help ensure nursing practices are consistent, safe, and effective
worldwide while respecting local healthcare needs.

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH VIS –A-VIS NATIONAL HEALTH

Textbook of International Health offered this definition: “[International
Health] is a systemic comparison of the factors that affect the health of all
human beings,”

National health is a term that refers to the health of a country's citizens and the
programs and services that support it.
International Health
1. Global perspective: Focuses on health issues that transcend national borders.
2. Infectious diseases: Addresses the spread of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, Ebola,
and HIV/AIDS.
3. Global health governance: Involves international organizations, such as the World Health
Organization (WHO), in setting health policies and standards.
4. Health diplomacy: Encourages cooperation between countries to address health-related
issues.
5. Funding and resource mobilization: Attracts international funding and resources to support
global health initiatives.
National Health
1. Country-specific focus: Concentrates on health issues specific to a particular country or
region.
2. Domestic health policies: Develops and implements health policies, programs, and services
within a country's borders.
3. National health systems: Establishes and manages healthcare systems, including healthcare
infrastructure, workforce, and services.
4. Healthcare financing: Manages healthcare financing, including budget allocation,
insurance, and out-of-pocket payments.
5. Cultural and socio-economic considerations: Takes into account the unique cultural, socio-
economic, and environmental factors that influence health outcomes within a country.
Key differences
1. Scope: International health has a broader scope, addressing global health issues, while
national health focuses on country-specific health concerns.
2. Governance: International health involves global governance structures, such as the WHO,
whereas national health is governed by domestic policies and institutions.
3. Funding: International health relies on global funding mechanisms, whereas national health
is primarily funded through domestic resources.
Interconnections
1. Global health security: National health systems contribute to global health security by
preventing and responding to infectious disease outbreaks.
2. Healthcare workforce: The global healthcare workforce is interconnected, with healthcare
professionals often working across national borders.
3. Health technologies: Medical technologies, such as vaccines and medicines, are often
developed and distributed globally, benefiting national health systems.
NATIONAL HEALTH
One of the government's flagship health initiatives is Ayushman Bharat, a
comprehensive health scheme launched in 2018. It consists of two main components: Health
and Wellness Centres (HWCs), which provide primary healthcare services, and Pradhan
Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), a health insurance scheme that covers secondary and
tertiary care hospitalization .
Some notable achievements of India's national health initiatives include:

- 8.19 crore hospital admissions under PM-JAY as of November 2024 ³

- 35.68 crore Ayushman cards issued as of November 2024 ³
- 14555 helpline number for PM-JAY beneficiaries to access information and support ²

PM-JAY aims to provide health coverage to over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families,
offering a benefit of up to ₹5 lakhs per family per year. The scheme is fully funded by the
government, with costs shared between the central and state governments ².
 INTERNATIONAL HEALTH DAYS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE

WORLD HEALTH DAY (7 APRIL)

In 1948, the WHO held the First World Health Assembly. The Assembly decided to
celebrate 7 April of each year, with effect from 1950, as the World Health Day.
WORLD TUBERCULOSIS DAY
It is falling on March 24 of each year and is designed to build public awareness about
the global epidemic of tuberculosis (TB) and efforts to eliminate the disease.
WORLD MALARIA DAY (WMD)
World Malaria Day is an international observance commemorated every year on 25
April and recognizes global efforts to control malaria.
WORLD IMMUNIZATION WEEK (APRIL LAST WEEK)
World Immunization week is a global public health campaign to raise awareness and
increase rates of immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases around the world. It
takes place each year during last week of April.
WORLD LEPROSY DAY
World Leprosy day is observed internationally on January 30 or its nearest Sunday to
increase the public awareness of the Leprosy.
WORLD CANCER DAY
World Cancer Day is an international day marked on February 4 to raise awareness of cancer
and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.
WORLD AIDS DAY
On December 1 every year since 1988, is dedicated to raising AIDS pandemic Caused
by the spread of HIV infection.
WORLD THALASSEMIA DAY
World Thalassemia day is observed every year on 8th of May to spread awareness
amongst people about this deadly disease and to focus on its prevention to avoid its
transmission.
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
World Environment Day (WED) is the United Nations' principal vehicle for
encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment This day activities take
place all year round but climax on 5 June every year, involving everyone from everywhere.
WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY (WBDD)
 Every year on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day
(WBDD). The event, established in 2004, serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood
and blood products, and to thank blood donors for their voluntary, life-saving gifts of blood.
THE NATIONAL NUTRITION WEEK
The National Nutrition week (NNW) is an annual nutrition event is observed from 1
to 7 September every year. It was conceived by the Food and Nutrition Board in the year
1982 as an annual event. The basic objective is to intensify awareness generation on the
importance of nutrition for health which has an impact on development, productivity,
economic growth and ultimately National development.
WORLD LODINE DEFICIENCY DAY
World Iodine Deficiency Day is otherwise known as Global Iodine Deficiency
Disorders (IDD) Prevention Day which is observed every year on 21st October. The aim
behind this day is to generate awareness of adequate use of iodine and to highlight the
consequences of iodine deficiency.
WORLD ARTHRITIS DAY
On 12 October 2015, World Arthritis Day will be celebrated around the globe. The day was
first observed in 1996 by Arthritis Rheumatism International and is now a worldwide event,
bringing arthritis sufferers together to get their voices heard.
Anti-Obesity Day (AOD)
Anti-Obesity Day (AOD) is observed in various parts of the world on November 26,
with several health care organizations and leading Media primarily in India and the Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC) countries marking the day with activities to highlight how
Obesity is a public health hazard.
WORLD HEMOPHILIA DAY
World Hemophilia day is an international observance held annually on April 17 by
the WFH. It is an awareness day for hemophilia and other bleeding disorders, which also
serves to raise funds and attract volunteers for the WFH
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
United Nations' (UN) International Day of Persons with Disabilities is annually held
on December 3 to focus on issues that affect people with disabilities worldwide.
WORLD RABIES DAY
World Rabies Day takes place each year on September 28, the anniversary of the
death of Louis Pasteur who, with the collaboration of his colleagues, developed the first
efficacious rabies vaccine World Rabies day is an international campaign coordinated by the
Global Alliance for Rabies Control, a non-profit organization with headquarters in the United
States and the United Kingdom.
WORLD DIABETES DAY
It is the primary global awareness campaign of the diabetes world and is held on
November 14 each year. It was first celebrated in 1991 by the International Diabetes
Federation and the World Health Organization in response to the alarming rise of diabetes
around the world.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS
The International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1 each year. On
December 14, 1990 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish October 1 as the
International Day of Older Persons as recorded In Resolution 45/106.
WORLD HEART DAY
World Heart Day, which used to take place every year on the last Sunday in
September, is organized by the World Heart Federation, and has been celebrated annually
since 2000.
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is celebrated every year on
October 17 throughout the world.
OTHER DAYS
World Cancer Day: Celebrated on February 4th
International Childhood Cancer Day: Celebrated on February 15th
World Leprosy Day: Celebrated on January 27th
World Kidney Day: Celebrated on March 14th
International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Celebrated on December 3rd
Universal Health Day: Celebrated on December 12th
World Birth Defects Day: Celebrated on March 3rd

CONCLUSION
International health and national health are interconnected yet distinct concepts.
While international health focuses on global health issues and governance, national health
concentrates on country-specific health concerns and domestic policies.
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