2005 News

CGFNS and ICN Launch New 'International Centre on Nurse Migration'

Taipei, Taiwan — MAY 24, 2005 — The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) today launched a much needed, new global resource, the International Centre on Nurse Migration. The announcement was made at the close of the ICN International Summit on Nursing WorkForce, held in Taipei, Taiwan. The Centre is an international resource for the development, promotion and dissemination of research, policy and information on nurse migration.

A priority of the Centre will be to address gaps in policy, research and information with regard to the migrant nurse workforce, including screening and workforce integration. The Centre’s Web site, www.intlnursemigration.org, will act as a portal for policy, research studies and other information regarding migration trends and statistics.

"There is a critical need for global organizations involved with migrating nurse professionals to collaborate and share knowledge," said Barbara L. Nichols, DHL, MS, RN, FAAN, Chief Executive Officer of CGFNS, "This protects the interests of both the global nurse workforce and the patient communities they serve worldwide. We are pleased to be working with ICN in this endeavor."

"The migration of nurses is greatly increasing as our world grows more tightly connected and changes every day," said Judith A. Oulton, Chief Executive Officer of ICN. "As professionals in a globalized world, we have a tremendous opportunity to share resources and affect positive change in how health care is administered and staffed around the world. We consider the Centre an important asset in understanding and acting on the needs of migrating nurses, employers and policy makers throughout the global community and see CGFNS as an ideal partner."

About CGFNS:
CGFNS is an internationally recognized authority on credentials evaluation pertaining to the education, registration and licensure of nurses and health care professionals worldwide. CGFNS is an immigration-neutral, nonprofit organization with nearly 30 years of experience in certifying the credentials of over 500,000 internationally educated nurses and other health care workers. In addition to co-sponsoring the International Centre on Nurse Migration, CGFNS is developing an International Institute on Health Professions, which will comprise the International Centre on Nurse Migration and other similar centres.

About ICN:
The International Council of Nurses is a federation of national nurses' associations (NNAs), representing regulatory bodies, professional associations and nursing unions in more than 125 countries. Founded in 1899, ICN is the world’s first and widest reaching international organisation for health professionals and works to ensure quality nursing care for all, sound health policies globally, and the advancement of nursing knowledge. ICN speaks for more than 12 million nurses on issues related to safe patient care and encompassing ethics, regulation, professional practice and socio-economic welfare.