An innovative new ICN body representing student and early career nurses aimed at amplifying their voices and increasing their input on policy has been established by the International Council of Nurses.
ICN Senior Policy Advisor Erica Burton has been leading this work since 2017, including development of the strategy on how to further engage SECNs at ICN, developing the proposal for the structure and function of a SECN body and carrying out consultation with ICN NNA members to ultimately create the SECN Alliance. She talks with the ANMJ ahead of the upcoming ICN Congress in June.
How did the Alliance come about?
The Alliance is the result of several years of work to increase student and early career nurse (SECN) engagement at ICN.
After consultation with the wider student nurse population and ICN National Nursing Association (NNA) members, it was clear that there was a need for a strong cohesive global network of student and early career nurses, fostering engagement and collaboration on critical issues.
In 2021, the ICN Nursing Student Steering Group (NSSG) was created to advance the creation of a future SECN body at ICN that would increase student and early career nurse participation and influence in global health and nursing policy dialogue through the work of ICN and its members and promote their voices at the international level.
How does the Alliance build on the work of ICN already for students and early career nurses?
The SECN Alliance will be the leading voice of students and early career nurses, influencing global health and nursing policy dialogue, both globally and at a national level through national nursing associations.
The Alliance introduces an exciting and eagerly anticipated communication platform that will enhance conversations between nurses early in their careers and those in more experienced and leadership roles.
It will build on important contributions that student and early career nurses have already made to ICN policy in areas like climate change and health and planetary health, mental health, the attractiveness of nursing as a career, the future of the profession and nursing education.
What are the key issues for the new SECN Alliance?
No one understands the issues impacting a population better than the population itself. Therefore, we will turn to students and early career nurses to provide valuable insight into these priority issues.
From the work ICN is already doing with SECNs and through important forums such as the ICN Student Assembly, held in parallel to the biennial ICN Congress we know that student and early career nurses are interested in, amongst many other issues, mental health, transition to practice, nurse migration, climate change and health, LGBTQIA+ health equity and nursing in conflict settings.
Will the Alliance help grow our future international nursing leaders?
One of the key responsibilities of the SECN Alliance is leadership development, inspiring and guiding future nursing leaders to address global health challenges effectively and promote health for all. There’s great interest in the SECN community to develop and advance their leadership skills and we have already received lots of questions about leadership courses. Stay tuned for more information.
What are the criteria to be part of the Alliance?
The SECN Alliance is made up of one representative from each ICN NNA. As ICN represents over 130 NNAs, as the Alliance develops, it will grow to that number.
Representatives are selected and appointed by their NNA. Representatives must be either a student nurse enrolled in a nursing diploma or an undergraduate nursing degree or a nurse enrolled in a graduate degree; or an early career nurse within three years of graduation and who is currently practicing nursing.
They also ideally hold a position in the SECN group that is embedded or affiliated with the NNA who appointed them or hold a position in an active SECN group in the country.
Are there other ways nurses can contribute to the work of the ICN?
Representatives will be SECN leaders in their respective countries, often holding a position in the SECN group that is embedded or affiliated with the NNA in the country. We also encourage student and early career nurses who are interested in becoming involved or to keep updated about the Alliance to contact secn@icn.ch to be added to this global network.
What advice would you give nurses who want to be part of the global nursing network?
Firstly, become of member of your NNA. NNAs offer opportunities to collaborate, share knowledge, and contribute to the national and global nursing community.
Secondly, stay informed about, and advocate for, global health and nursing policy issues. This will connect you with nurses around the world and can help amplify your presence in the global network.
Thirdly, attend events such as the ICN Congress where you can celebrate the power of nursing, build relationships and disseminate nursing knowledge and leadership across specialties, cultures and countries!
When will the Alliance first meet?
The first in-person meeting will take place on 9 June at the ICN Congress held in Helsinki, Finland, in June and will be an opportunity for representatives to meet, build, share and discuss the Alliance workplan, providing input into influencing global health and nursing policy dialogue. This meeting will also be an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the situation in each country.
To be added to the global network or to keep updated about the Alliance, contact secn@icn.ch.
More information on the ICN 2025 Congress can be found on the Congress website.
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