Media Release
14 October 2005
Historic international partnership for ANF and RCNA
In a demonstration of nursing unity, the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) and Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA) today announced an historic collaborative partnership for membership of the International Council of Nurses (ICN).
The partnership means that both RCNA and the ANF will be represented at the ICN.
This partnership will allow RCNA and the ANF to combine their expertise to become a major international force to influence health care and nursing reform, with both organisations having input into the important work of the ICN in establishing standards and policy for nursing internationally.
As RCNA Executive Director Rosemary Bryant explained: 'Australian nurses have implemented many evidence-based initiatives in all areas of nursing practice, which can be shared with international colleagues. An important element of ICN membership is being able to support and encourage colleagues in countries where the health systems are less developed than in Australia. The new partnership will mean a much greater number of nurses within Australia will be lending their support to their international colleagues.'
ANF Federal Secretary Jill Iliffe said the partnership reflected the commitment of both national nursing organisations to work together for the benefit of nurses and nursing in Australia and internationally.
'Australian nurses are well regarded the world over for the high level of expertise and insight they bring to their profession. This new partnership will harness the expertise of thousands more nurses and make it available to the international community. It will also enable many more nurses in Australia become directly involved in the work of the ICN.'
Founded in 1899, the ICN is a federation of national nurses'
associations, and is the world's first and widest reaching international
organisation for health professionals - representing nurses in
128 countries. The ANF was the original ICN member for Australia,
with the RCNA becoming the Australian member in 1997. In 2001,
the ICN endorsed a new model of membership to enable countries
with more than one national nursing organisation to form collaborative
partnerships for membership.
Media inquiries:
Rosemary
Bryant, Executive Director, RCNA
Ph: (02) 6283 3400 / 0414 675 405
Jill
Iliffe, Federal Secretary, Australian Nursing Federation
Ph: (02) 6232 6533 / 0419 576 590
www.rcna.org.au www.anf.org.au
About the ANF:
Established in 1924, the ANF is the national union for nurses and the largest professional nursing organisation in Australia, representing over 145,000 nurses. The ANF's core business is the industrial and professional representation of nurses and nursing through the activities of a national office and branches in every state and territory. ANF members are employed in a wide range of enterprises in urban, rural and remote locations in both in the public and private sectors, including hospitals, health and community services, schools, universities, the armed forces, statutory authorities, local government, offshore territories and industry. The ANF participates in the development of policy in nursing, nursing regulation, health, community services, veterans' affairs, education, training, occupational health and safety, industrial matters, immigration and law reform.
About RCNA:
RCNA,
a national professional member organisation, was originally established
in 1949. With its national office in Canberra, and nine Chapters
located throughout the states and territories, RCNA maintains
a membership base which comprises clinicians in every setting
in which nurses practice, as well as academics and educators
in all spheres of nursing education; researchers of all fields
of nursing endeavour; managers of the full range of health care
facilities, lawyers, bureaucrats, and politicians. RCNA's role
includes policy formulation, dealing with nursing issues of relevance
generally, and providing a 'voice' for nursing and nurses.
About the ICN:
The International Council of Nurses is a federation of national nurses' associations (NNAs), representing nurses in more than 128 countries. Founded in 1899, ICN is the world's first and widest reaching international organisation for health professionals. Operated by nurses for nurses, ICN works to ensure quality nursing care for all, sound health policies globally, the advancement of nursing knowledge, and the presence worldwide of a respected nursing profession and a competent and satisfied nursing workforce.