The International Council of Nurses

What The International Council of Nurses does

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a non-profit federation founded in 1899 and headquartered at 3, place Jean Marteau, Geneva, Switzerland. It operates as a membership body of more than 140 national nursing associations (NNAs) representing approximately 30 million nurses across all six WHO regions, with a headquarters staff of 11–50 employees led by CEO Howard Catton and three functional departments (Finance & Operations; Nursing; Communications & Events). ICN has held official relations with the World Health Organization since 1948 — one of the first seven NGOs to do so — and participates in WHO Executive Board meetings, World Health Assemblies, UN/ECOSOC forums, and G7/G20 advocacy.

Name

The International Council of Nurses

Legal name

International Council of Nurses

Website

https://icn.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The International Council of Nurses is a Geneva-based federation of 140+ national nursing associations representing 30 million nurses worldwide, delivering leadership programmes, policy advocacy, accreditation, and standards to advance the nursing profession globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership dues: ICN is a federation of national nursing associations. Member associations contribute dues which support the organization's operations and global initiatives.
2. Partnership funding: ICN implements several projects supported by funding external to core budget from partners such as BD Foundation and Johnson & Johnson Foundation. These partnerships fund specific programs like ODENNA.
3. Publications and resources: ICN produces reports, guidelines, position statements, and the International Nursing Review journal. The organization publishes the book 'The Global Voice of Nursing: A history of the International Council of Nurses from 1899 to 2022' available for purchase.
4. Congress and events: ICN organizes major international congresses including the ICN Congress 2027 in Taipei, as well as NP/APN Network conferences and other professional events that generate revenue through registration and sponsorship.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a non-profit federation of over 140 national nursing associations representing 30 million nurses worldwide. It advances the nursing profession through global policy advocacy at WHO and UN bodies, leadership development programmes (GNLI, LFC, NLCRR), organizational development for member associations (ODENNA), continuing professional development accreditation (ICNEC), senior nurse certification (CGNC), and standards such as the ICN Code of Ethics and ICNP nursing terminology. It also convenes the ICN Congress and publishes the International Nursing Review journal.

Product overview

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a federation of over 140 national nurses associations representing 30 million nurses worldwide. ICN does not offer a single unified software product but rather a portfolio of interconnected professional development programmes, accreditation services, publications, campaigns, and standards. Key offerings include the Global Nursing Leadership Institute (GNLI) and Leadership for Change (LFC) as flagship leadership programmes; the ODENNA organizational development programme with its new Digital Assessment Portal; the ICNEC accreditation system for continuing professional development credits; the Certified Global Nurse Consultants (CGNC) certification; and the NP/APN Network for advanced practice nurses. ICN also publishes the International Nursing Review journal, produces the annual International Nurses Day reports and campaign, creates documentary series like Caring with Courage, maintains the ICNP nursing terminology standards, and operates the #NursesforPeace humanitarian fund. These offerings work together to advance nursing globally through education, advocacy, standards development, and professional solidarity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Global Nursing Leadership Institute™ (GNLI): Strategic policy leadership programme strengthening political and policy understanding and influence
• ODENNA
• Girl Child Education Fund™ (GCEF)
• ICNP™ (International Classification for Nursing Practice)
• Leadership for Change™ (LFC)
• Nursing Leadership for Crisis Response and Recovery (NLCRR)
• ICN Leadership Centre
• ICNEC (International Continuing Nursing Education Credits)

Products and services

• Global Nursing Leadership Institute (GNLI) A year-long strategic policy leadership programme that strengthens nurses' political and policy understanding and influence at national, regional, and global levels, focused on UN Sustainable Development Goals, WHO directions, and universal health coverage. Aimed at senior nurse leaders from member national nursing associations.
• ODENNA (Organizational Development of National Nursing Associations) A next-level assessment, leadership, and mentorship programme for national nursing associations to increase their influence, sustainability, and advocacy capacity. Delivered through regional cohorts in Africa and Latin America with support from BD Foundation and Johnson & Johnson Foundation.
• ICNEC Accreditation System (International Continuing Nursing Education Credits) An internationally recognized accreditation system for continuing professional development activities that sets evidence-based quality standards and accredits providers and activities for nurses globally. Open to nursing associations, universities, healthcare organizations, regulatory bodies, government agencies, and NGOs.
• Certified Global Nurse Consultants (CGNC) A certification programme delivered in partnership with CGFNS International that recognizes senior nurse capabilities and creates an accredited resource of nursing expertise for global policy-making, government consultation, and institutional advisory work.
• International Nursing Review (INR) ICN's official quarterly peer-reviewed journal focusing on nursing and health policy issues, published in partnership with Wiley, with readership in over 130 countries and access through HINARI/INASP for low-income institutions.
• International Nurses Day (IND) Annual Campaign

Quantifiable outcome

• 30 million nurses represented globally through 140+ national nursing associations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CGFNS International Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICNM (International Centre on Nurse Migration) serves as a comprehensive knowledge resource created by CGFNS in partnership with ICN. Emphasizes development, promotion and dissemination of research, policy and information on global nurse migration. Also partnered on Certified Global Nurse Consultant (CGNC) certification.
• CGFNS International - CGNC ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICN and CGFNS International offer certification for senior nurses to be accredited resource of nursing expertise. CGFNS is the world's pre-eminent credentialing body. Those who meet standards contribute to ICN initiatives and consult with governments, healthcare institutions and NGOs.
• World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHPA brings together five global organizations representing nurses (ICN), dentists (FDI), pharmacists (FIP), physiotherapists (World Physiotherapy), and physicians (WMA). Together they represent more than 47 million health care professionals in 179 countries and territories.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICN was one of the first seven NGOs to achieve official relations with WHO in 1948. Collaborates on Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery, advanced nursing practice, patient safety, non-communicable diseases, primary health care, infection prevention, and climate change.
• United Nations and UN Agencies (ILO, World Bank, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNFCCC, UN Women)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince founding of League of Nations in 1920, ICN has worked collaboratively with UN and its agencies. ICN representatives are active in ECOSOC and NGO community. Expert on issues related to economics, policy development, workforce, gender equality, education, climate change, and all 17 SDGs.
• Florence Nightingale International Foundation (FNIF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFNIF is officially supported by ICN and is an independent foundation established under Swiss law. Manages the Girl Child Education Fund supporting orphaned daughters of nurses in developing countries. Over 400 girls enrolled with 311 graduating secondary school.
• International Council of Nurses Foundation (ICNF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe ICNF is the ICN Swiss-based Foundation organised exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes.
• NP/APN Network (ICN Affiliate)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe ICN Nurse Practitioner/Advanced Practice Nurse Network was established over 20 years ago as an official ICN affiliate group. Facilitates communication around common professional interests on APNs. Next conference: Nashville, Tennessee, September 14-17, 2026.
• Council of International Neonatal Nurses (COINN)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational specialist nursing organisation with affiliate status with ICN. Represents neonatal nurses globally.
• Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational specialist nursing organisation with affiliate status with ICN. Represents emergency nurses globally.
• International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists (IFNA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational specialist nursing organisation with affiliate status with ICN. Represents nurse anesthetists globally.
• International Federation of Perioperative Nurses (IFPN)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational specialist nursing organisation with affiliate status with ICN. Represents perioperative nurses globally.
• International Home Care Nurses Organization (IHCNO)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational specialist nursing organisation with affiliate status with ICN. Hosted ICN CEO keynote at 5th Global Conference June 2026 in London. Focuses on home care nursing.
• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational specialist nursing organisation with affiliate status with ICN. Honor society for nursing excellence globally.
• Fight the Fakes CampaignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICN joined forces with Fight the Fakes Campaign alongside WHPA work to raise awareness of dangers of fake medicines.
• Health Care in Danger (HCiD) ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICN closely involved in Health Care in Danger project which aims to make access to healthcare in situations of armed violence more secure.
• Safeguarding Health in Conflict CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICN is a founding member of the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition. Coalition promotes respect for international humanitarian and human rights laws relating to safety and security of health facilities, health workers, ambulances, and patients. SHCC 2025 report documented 2,546 attacks on health care across 33 countries.
• Women Deliver Deliver for Good CampaignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICN is an ally organisation of Women Deliver's Deliver for Good campaign. Campaign applies gender lens to SDGs and promotes 12 critical investments in girls and women.
• Global Coalition on Circulatory HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICN participates in Global Coalition for Circulatory Health which brings together international, regional, and national stakeholders to drive urgent action on heart disease and stroke.
• The DAISY FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe DAISY Foundation is a public foundation serving nursing profession through recognition programs as well as grants for nursing research and evidence-based practice.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• World Medical Association: Global federation of national medical associations representing physicians worldwide. Direct peer as the co-founding counterpart to ICN within the World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA), operating with the same international advocacy and WHO official-relations model.
• International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP): Global federation of national pharmaceutical associations representing pharmacists. WHPA co-founding peer of ICN, with analogous structure: membership-based federation, official WHO relations, advocacy, and professional standards development.
• FDI World Dental Federation: International federation representing dentists and national dental associations. WHPA peer to ICN with similar federation model, global advocacy remit, and WHO engagement model.
• World Physiotherapy: Global hub for physiotherapy, representing national physical therapy associations worldwide. WHPA co-founding peer of ICN with parallel structure as a federation of national member associations engaged in global health policy.
• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma): International honor society for nursing with ICN affiliate status. Comparable in professional development, leadership programs, and global nursing knowledge dissemination, with overlap in academic publications and awards.

Broad incumbents

• American Nurses Association (ANA): Largest national nursing association in the United States and an ICN member NNA. Comparable in professional standards-setting, credentialing, and advocacy activities, but operating at national rather than international scale.
• Royal College of Nursing (RCN): Major UK national nursing association and ICN member NNA. Comparable in nursing advocacy, professional development, and policy influence, but focused on a single country with a larger direct membership base.

Emerging players

• CGFNS International: Credentialing body for internationally educated nurses and ICN partner on the Certified Global Nurse Consultants (CGNC) program. Comparable in nurse credentialing, migration policy, and certification services.

Regional players

• European Federation of Nurses Associations (EFN): Regional federation of European national nurses associations. Comparable to ICN in advocacy and representation model but limited to the European Union/Europe rather than global remit.

Others

• World Health Organization (WHO): UN specialized agency for health and ICN's most important strategic partner (75+ years of official relations). Not a peer in mission but a closely-linked ecosystem participant shaping the global health policy environment in which ICN operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ICNurses
• Facebookfacebook.com/icn.ch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/icn-international-council-of-nurses

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The International Council of Nurses