International Council of Nurses

The International Council of Nurses (ICN ) is a federation of over 130 national professional associations of care with headquarters in Geneva. The German nurses are represented there by the German professional association for nursing professions ( DBfK ). Representative of Austria, the Austrian Health Nurses Association ( ÖGKV ), nurses from Switzerland are represented by the Professional Association of Swiss nursing staff and care professionals ( SBK). The ICN represents millions of nurses worldwide. Officially, he is since 1899; the first annual conference was held in July 1904 in Berlin, in which an English, an Irish and an American group with the German professional organization of Agnes Karll officially merged into an international federation.

Definition of care to ICN

( In the German translation of DBfK, ÖGKV and SBK consented )

Care includes the self-responsible care and support, alone or in cooperation with other professionals, by people of all ages, from families or communities, as well as of groups and social communities, whether sick or well, in all life (Settings). Care includes the promotion of health, prevention of disease and the treatment and care of sick, disabled and dying people. Other key duties of care are representing the interests and needs ( advocacy ), promoting a safe environment, research, participation in shaping health policy and in the management of health care and in education.

Defining the tasks of the caregiver

The five basic tasks of nurses are in accordance with the ICN guidelines:

• To promote health
• To prevent disease
• Restore health
• To alleviate suffering
• Respect for life and for the dignity of man

The Code of 1953 contains the following elements (sections)