New opportunity for the development of nursing in China.

Abstract

The framework of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) was built on the United Nations Millennium Declaration following the Millennium Summit in 2000. The International Council of Nurses (ICN) also has put particular emphases on accelerating the implementation of the MDGs of reducing child mortality, promoting maternal health, and preventing and treating human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, malaria, and other diseases.The ICN was founded in 1899, comprising nursing associations from 130 countries or regions. The ICN as a nongovernmental, not-for-profit, nonpolitical organization has a working relationship with the United Nations and regional organizations, and represents nurses throughout the world. The ICN carries the responsibility of upholding the rights of nurses internationally, represents nurses' voices on nursing professional development, and influences the health policies at the international level.The Chinese Nursing Association (CNA) was founded in 1909 and joined the ICN in 1922. The first president of the CNA, Ms. Gai Yizhen, an American Chinese, was elected president of the ICN for the years 1925-1929. However, because of historical reasons, the CNA has not remained in the seats of the ICN for 66 years. With the CNA rejoining the ICN in 2013, we will fulfill our rights and obligations according to ICN regulations. It will bring along mutual benefits. The rejoining of the CNA greatly extends the representativeness of the ICN as a global nursing family, and also enhances the international influence of the CNA through concerted development of nursing.With the CNA rejoining the ICN in 2013, the dream of many generations of Chinese nurses comes true. This year is a significant milestone for Chinese nursing in integrating back into the world's nursing family. It will bring new opportunities for the development of nursing in China.Joining the ICN Will Be Conducive to International Collaboration and ExchangeThe CNA has a long-term cooperative relationship with the ICN, and also has visits and academic exchange programs with Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Joining the ICN will be advantageous to strengthen, deepen, and expand collaboration with national organizations for nursing and scientific development in neighboring countries.The CNA would further develop the scientific exchange programs with Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan closely; the CNA should develop high-level visits and collaboration with Taiwanese scientific organizations.The CNA will encourage Chinese nurse leaders to join international scientific organizations, to host international conferences, to establish international exchange platform, to start publishing nursing journals in the English language, and to participate in enhancing the international influence of nurses. The CNA also encourages Chinese nurse leaders to actively participate in the conferences organized by the ICN related to the issues of primary healthcare planning or health education. In this way, the CNA can align with the international course of actions and establish a good image internationally.Joining the ICN Will Be Beneficial to the Building Up and Development of Nursing ScienceThe trend of globalization impacts on public health care more than ever. Numerous factors have brought along many challenges, such as the lack of natural resources, environmental pollution, climatic abnormities, change of epidemiology of human diseases, changing population structure, and aging society.After joining the ICN, we will have more opportunities to discuss with other countries how to deal with health problems resulting from our physical and social environment. …