The Contribution of American Nurses to the Evolution of the International Council of Nurses

As the nursing profession celebrates the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, it is time to take stock of the contribution that American nurses and the United States have made to the evolution of the International Council of Nurses (ICN). American nurses were involved even before the conception of the organization and have played a significant role in its leadership and development. Nurses who have been active in the American Nurses Association (ANA) have often been heavily involved in various aspects of ICN governance and evolution. Additionally, several American philanthropic foundations and corporate donors have supported a wide range of ICN activity that has helped advance the nursing profession around the world. As we celebrate Nightingale’s legacy, we should also think about all the nurses who have brought us to this point from the past, and those collaborating today and tomorrow. Examining the contribution of American nursing highlights the fact that this collaborative effort of the world’s nurses is needed if we are to optimize access to services, quality of care and sustainability of the nursing profession.