International work is often about influencing and mutual sharing: getting and sharing knowledge and good practices.
The objectives of international work are not different from the general objectives of the Finnish Nurses Association – our mission and vision remain the same at the national and international level.
Closer cooperation at EU level
International activities have a strong impact on Finnish health care and nursing. For example, EU level legislative work affects both our healthcare and our national legislation and, at the same time, the position of Finnish nurses.
In particular, health policies and healthcare systems in EU countries are becoming increasingly interlinked. There are many reasons for this: patients are seeking healthcare in other EU countries, healthcare professionals are moving to other EU countries, healthcare technology is constantly evolving and expectations of healthcare are increasing.
International cooperation networks
The Finnish Nurses Association is a member of international, European and Nordic organizations. Alongside these, we cooperate with a wide range of other actors.
International Council of Nurses, ICN
The members of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) are the national nurses associations (NNAs) of over 130 countries. The ICN was founded in 1899. Its mission is to represent nurses worldwide, promote the nursing profession and influence health policy.
It focuses on professional nursing practice, nursing regulation and the socio-economic well-being of nurses. The activities are organized in diverse ways, involving various expert groups and networks.
Every two years, the ICN organizes a major nursing congress, which brings together several thousand nurses from all over the world. Its Council of National Representatives also meets every two years. The ICN’s offices are located in Geneva.
Further information about the ICN
European Federation of Nurses Associations, EFN
The European Federation of Nurses Associations operates in the European region and aims to promote the role of nurses and nursing. It focuses on three areas: professional issues, labor issues and public policy.
The organization was founded in 1971 and is based in Brussels. The EFN General Assembly meets twice a year.
Further information about the EFN
Nordic Nurses Federation, NNF
The Nordic Nurses Federation (NNF) was founded in 1920 and is made up of the nurses’ associations of Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands. Its activities focus on the development of nursing care and the improvement of nurses’ pay and conditions of employment.
The organization’s board meets twice a year.
Further information about the NNF
The European Nursing Students Association, ENSA
ENSA is the European Nursing Students Association. Its mission is to promote nursing education in Europe and to raise awareness of issues of interest to nursing students.
ENSA’s annual meeting is usually held in the autumn. The annual meeting elects a new board and prepares EU level position papers on issues of concern to students.
The Nordic Nursing Students Contactforum, NNSC
The Nordic Nursing Students Contactforum (NNSC) works closely with the NNF. The NSSC meets twice a year and discusses topics of interest to Nordic students, including position papers.
Further information about the NNSC
The European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations, EFNNMA
EFNNMA is an association of nurses’ and midwives’ organizations working in the WHO European Region.
Further information about the EFNNMA
The Association for Common European Nursing Diagnoses, Interventions and Outcomes, ACENDIO
ACENDIO aims to promote the development of the professional language of nursing. It maintains a European network of nurses interested in developing concepts that describe nursing practice.
The association was founded in 1995.
Further information about ACENDIO
The European Association for Psychiatric Nurses, Horatio
Horatio is a European organization for mental health nurses.
The president of Horatio is Dr Nina Kilkku from Finland.
