National and international regulatory body and professional organizations

International council of nurses(ICN)

The International Council of Nursing (ICN) is a federation of more than 130 national nurses associations that serves to represent the more than 16 million nurses worldwide (NNAs). ICN was founded in 1899 and is the oldest and biggest international association for healthcare professionals. The corporate headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland. Leading international nurses operate the facility.

ICN works to ensure that everyone receives top-notch nursing care, that sensible health policies are applied globally, that nursing knowledge is promoted, and that each nation has a respected nursing profession as well as a knowledgeable and satisfied nursing workforce. As seen by ICN's developing networks and connections to people, strong linkages with regional, national, and international nursing and non-nursing organisations are essential. The development of successful relationships overseas helps to position ICN, nurses, and nursing for the present and the future.Collaboration with the United Nations' specialized agencies is essential for nurses everywhere, especially with the World Health Organization, the International Labour Organization, and the World Bank. ICN works together with several international non-governmental organizationsAll nurses are eligible to join the ICN, however individuals are not. The individual nurse joins the ICN via NAN, a participant in the organization. In 1969, Nepal became a member of ICN. The annual affiliation fee for this membership with the ICN is paid by NAN. The ICN hosts a conference in tandem with the Council of National Nursing Association Representatives gathering every four years. The conference regularly sponsors other conferences in addition to a large number of professional practice seminars, poster sessions, luncheons, speaking engagements, and plenary sessions.

The body that oversees the ICN, which is the council of Nations' representatives, is made up of the honorary officers of the ICN and a president chosen from among the national member associations. The council of national representatives, the ICN's governing body, meets every two years to talk about political concerns that affect the nursing profession. Every four years, this event falls on the same weekend as the ICN quadrennial convention. Attendance at this meeting is open to all nurses who are ICN members. Individual nurses with ICN membership may benefit. She is able to attend international gatherings. She has access to the ICN information center, where she can find papers documenting developments in nursing education across the globe, information about the ICN exchange programs, and expert advice or support.

Mission

to enhance nursing as a profession and to influence health policy favorably.

Vision

The ICN speaks on behalf of nurses everywhere. We have an impact on national, regional, and worldwide health, social, and economic policies through the interchange of data and best practices. ICN envisions a society where all human rights are respected and upheld, including the right of the present and future generations to a safe, healthy, and sustainable environment. To advance the nursing profession, improve nurses' quality of life, advance population health globally, and advance the acceptance of cultural values, traditions, and spiritual beliefs, we cooperate and partner.

Goal of ICN

• To promote global nursing profession unity.
• To advance the nursing profession globally and nurses' socioeconomic standing,
• To influence health policy on a national and global level.

Governance

The ICN Board of Directors is made up of 14 people, including the President, three Vice Presidents, and 10 additional individuals nominated by ICN voting districts. All members are required to adhere to the ICN's definition of a nurse and maintain good standing with an ICN member association. As the body's representative, the Board creates and puts into effect policy in accordance with the guidelines established by the Council of Representatives (CNR).

ICN is governed by the Council of National Nursing Association Representatives (CNR), which also establishes broad guidelines, including member admission. Changes to the constitution, fee determination, and Board of Directors election. A national representative is a nurse who complies with the ICN definition of a nurse and is chosen by a member association to represent that organization. The national representative may or may not simultaneously serve as the group's president. A nurse who is accompanying a member association's national representative on a trip is permitted to attend CNR meetings, but she is not permitted to vote unless she is acting as the national representative's duly appointed proxy.

Nepal Nursing Council (NNC)

Introduction

The Nepal Nursing Council (NNC) is an official body with the right and permission from the Nepali government to control the nursing industry all across the country. The executive board of this independent organization is made up of a group of professional nurses. The awarding of licenses to nurses and midwives is within its purview. The Nursing Council, which was founded in 1958 under the ministry of health, was proposed by Adam Ross. Initially overseen by the Ministry of Health, nursing education was transferred to TU's Institute of Medicine in 1972 along with other technical education. Because TU was already the industry's regulatory body, the need for the Council was not recognized at the time. The nursing Council consequently ceased operations.When nurses who graduated under the TU and IOM were unable to enroll in bachelor's programs in nursing abroad due to a lack of national professional council registration, the Nursing Association of Nepal (NAN) took the lead in reviving the registration procedure. As the process coordinator, Mrs. Sarala Shrestha from the Maharajgunj Nursing Campus was employed. The CNA initiative received assistance in 2044 BS to reactivate the Nepal Nursing Council. A team of nurses from several organizations, including many nurses, wrote the Nursing Council Act. In order to improve her studies, Mrs. Sarala Shrestha also traveled abroad at the same time. As a result, Mrs. Vijaya K.C. was given the responsibility of co-coordinator. The initial and final drafts of the Interim Government of Nepal were handed to the Ministry of Health in 2046 B.C. After eight years of debate, the nursing council legislation was eventually approved by the parliament on June 17, 1996. Following extensive work by NAN and senior nurses, the Nepal Nursing Council Act 2052 was created (1996). It goes into force on 2053-03-02. (16June 1996).

Objectives

• To raise the nursing profession's professionalism and dignity.
• To conduct rigorous and scientific management of the nursing field.
• To enter, in line with their credentials, the names of nurses and auxiliary nurse midwives who practice nursing in the registration book of the Nepal Nursing Council.
• To maintain public safety.
• To protect a nursing profession of the highest caliber.

Constitution of Council

The Executive Board consists of 15 members as given below:

• President - 1
  • Nominated by Government of Nepal.
• Vice President - 1
  • Nominated by Government of Nepal.
• Member-1
  • Officer Nurse designated by director General Department Member-1, Nominated by Government of Nepal from among the matrons
• Member-2
  • Campus Chiefs Nominated by Government of Nepal
• Member-1
  • Nurse, representative from TU/IOM
• Member-1
  • Representative from CTEVT
• Member-1
  • Chairperson of nursing association of Nepal
• Member-3
  • Elected among the general member of the NAN
• Member-1
  • The person nominated by Government of Nepal in the recommendation of Nepal Nursing Council from regional or zonal hospitals chiefs- 1.
• Member-1
  • Nominated by Government of Nepal among consumers
• Registrar-1
  • Appointed by Government

NNC Code of Professional Conduct

The following codes of conduct for nurses must be followed in order to maintain their professional registration with the council:

• Regularity and punctuality
• Discipline
• Obeying the rules and guidelines
• Courteous conduct
• There must be no discrimination.
• Patients' privacy must be protected in order to prevent disclosure.
• Professional ability must be utilised during times of emergency.
• Secrecy must be upheld
• No monetary profit shall be obtained.
• There won't need to be any actions taken to degrade the nursing profession.
• To work hard in the nursing profession

Responsibility and accountability in the workplace

The Council shall have the following authority, functions, and responsibilities.

• To create the required regulations for the nursing industry's smooth functioning,
• In order to respect a teaching institution,
• A teaching institution that has been recognized under clause has to have its infrastructure, academic program, admissions policies, testing procedures, and other requirements evaluated and reviewed.
• The council may suggest terminating a teaching institution's license to operate if an evaluation and review carried out in line with clause (c) finds that the institution has fallen short of the standards set by the council.
• After registering their names in the registration book, the nursing professionals' qualifications will be checked, and those who meet the standards will be certified.
• The maximum weekly hours for nursing practitioners are as follows:
• The creation of a professional code of conduct for nurses and the appropriate punishment of those who violate it.

Registration Process

Both domestic and foreign nurses as well as ANM are prohibited from working without registration with the NNC. A punishment of one lakh rupees per individual and five lakh rupees per institution would be imposed on such nurses or ANMs if it is found that they are practicing without a NNC registration. The registration is good for six years. To register their name with the nursing profession council, a nurse must fulfill the following requirements:

• shall be required to complete an ANM program at an accredited institution lasting at least 18 months.
  must complete either a three-year PCL nursing program or a four-year basic BSC nursing program from a recognized university.

Licensure Examination 

• To be qualified as a nursing professional, candidates must pass the National Licensure Examination for Nurses (NLEN). The National Licensure Examination for Nurses must be taken by all recent graduates. A applicant must pass the National Licensure Examination in order to practice as a nurse.

Qualifications for the Licensing Exam

• graduated from Nepal and other nations; national of Nepal

To satisfy the professional education requirement for licensure as a qualified professional nurse, candidates must offer convincing evidence that they have finished at least a four-year degree program (B.Sc. N.) or a three-year Proficiency Certificate Level (Diploma level) program that has been approved by NNC.

An certified certificate of equivalency from the appropriate government must be presented by candidates who acquired their nursing education in another nation. Each applicant must have completed their education from a program that has been approved by the appropriate nursing council or other reputable government agency.

The following papers must be included with an application form.

Documentation and payment requirements for P.C.L. nursing

• NNC application, original mark sheet, and original with photocopied SLC character
• Citizenship certificate, original and copy.
• Academic history, PCL Nursing character, and original and duplicate vouchers proving a deposit of Rs. 1500 in the name of the Nepal Nursing Council was made to SBI Bank's Current Account No. 20435240100009.
• Passport-sized photo
• A list of required fees and supporting documentation for a B.Sc. in nursing.
• Application for NNC, original SLC grades and character, original with a photocopy of the I.Sc. or 10+2 grades and character, original with a photocopy of the academic record for the B.Sc. in nursing, and original with a photocopy.
• The citizenship certificate's original and photocopy copies are kept on file at the SBI Bank in Maharajgunj under account number 20435240100009, which was used to deposit a total of 1500 Nepali rupees.
• passport-sized photo.

Nepal produced foreign graduates

Foreign candidates who have completed nursing programs in Nepal are required to have done so at institutions approved by the NNC and to submit the supporting documentation stated below.

• A list of the documents and costs that foreign nurses with nursing degrees from Nepal must submit.
• Genuine NNC application, authentic nursing education certificate, and a photocopy.
• A photocopy and a certified copy of the nursing degree transcript are both in the original language and Nepali.
• Home Country Nursing Registration Certificate.
• Original and photocopy letters of recommendation from the institution the applicant plans to attend, together with proof of citizenship or a valid visa for those entering Nepal without one.
• Document attesting to a deposit of Rs. 1500 made in the name of the Nepal Nursing Council to Current Account No. 20435240100009 of SBI Bank, Maharajgunj.
• Passport-sized photo

Foreign nationals with international degrees

To register with NNC, one must pass the National Licensure Examination for Nurses before traveling to Nepal for employment. People with tourist visas are not eligible to apply.

• The list of paperwork and fees needed for foreign nurses who graduated from other nations.
• Original NNC application form
• Original and photocopied certificates of nursing education accomplishment.
• Original with photocopy of a certified transcript for a nursing degree in English and Nepali.
• Certificate of Nursing Registration in Home Country.
• Original letter of recommendation from the institution the candidate is joining.
• Valid visa or proof of citizenship required for those entering Nepal without a visa, original with photocopy.
• Voucher with NRs deposited. 1500 can be found in SBI Bank in Maharajgunj under account number 20435240100009 in the name of the Nepal Nursing Council.
• Passport-size image

Registration for A.N.M.

List of A.N.M.-Required Documentation and Payment

• Original NNC application form
• Original and photocopy of the mark sheet and S.L.C.'s character
• Certificate of Citizenship, Original and Photocopy
• Grade report and ANM training character, original and copy
• Original and photocopied certificate of technical school graduation issued by CTEVT
• A certificate of OJT training from the relevant authority
• Voucher with NRs deposited. 1010 in the name of the Nepal Nursing Council on Current Account No. 20435240100009 at SBI Bank, Maharajgunj.
• Photo in passport size

Eligible Criteria for Licensure Renewal

• Continued learning or service
• Neither a mental disease nor a disability

Taking a Name Out of the Registration Book

Any ANM or registered nurse's name may be struck from the registration book under the following circumstances:

• Insane
• Declared insolvent
• A person who has been found guilty in court of a crime involving moral turpitude
• Has been found guilty of violating professional behavior.

Former Presidents of NNC

• Prof. Dr. Uma Devi Das (2053-2061 B.S.)
• Mrs. Tara Pokhrel (2061-2063 B.S.)
• Mrs. Daya Laxami Joshi (2063-2066 B.S.)
• Ms. Krishna Prajapati (2066-2068 B.S.)
• Mrs. Daya Laxami Joshi (2068-2072 B.S.)
• Mrs Chandrakala Sharma (2072 - till date)

Nursing Association of Nepal (NAN)

The Nursing Association of Nepal, formerly known as the Trained Nurses Association of Nepal, is the professional association for nurses in Nepal. It was established in June 1962 AD (Magh, 2018 BS) (TNAN). It is an organization that is not political or sectarian and is unaffected by class or religion. Mrs. Lamoo Amatya, a royal nurse who worked in the nursing program at Surendra Bhawan, served as the association's first president. In 1969 AD, NAN joined ICN as a member. The educational board, which oversees the organization, is elected nationally every three years.

Mission

All nursing practitioners in Nepal will be brought together under the Nursing Association of Nepal's roof. Continue to encourage professional development and advancement while giving individuals across the nation access to high-quality nursing care.

Vision

Through high-quality nursing care and professional endeavors, all nurses collaborate toward a common aim of social and economic advancement, national health programs, and the achievement of health objectives. The nurses will gain expertise in their specialized fields of practice and provide the public with high-quality care.

Objectives of the NAN

• To safeguard, advance, and establish a professional code of conduct, as well as the rights and interests of all nurses nationwide.
• To improve people's health and carry out numerous tasks required to make basic healthcare services available across the nation.
• To improve the nursing service's standard through ongoing education.
• Must continue making an attempt to create and develop a scientific nursing system.
• To encourage and carry out pertinent nursing research.
• To set nursing standards for the delivery of safe care and the range of practice.
• To promote the advancement of nursing education standards so that the people of Nepal can receive the greatest nursing care possible.

Strategies

The following strategic actions will be taken by NAN in order to accomplish the aforementioned goals.

• Make sure that the nursing profession has the same legal protections that other medical professionals in the nation do, allowing one to practice effectively according to one's training and abilities.
• Continue working to improve the nursing profession's efficacy, efficiency, humanitarianism, and prestige.
• Encourage all nurses to maintain their professional discipline, commitment, accountability, and responsibility.
• Maintain your involvement in diverse creative endeavors that are crucial for the defense, advancement, expansion, and development of your professional rights and interests.
• Cooperate with local, national, and international nursing-related professional groups and share ideas with one another.
• Engage constantly and actively in a variety of creative health-related activities, such as running initiatives and organizing seminars, conferences, meetings, talk shows, and other events.
• By publishing health-related booklets, brochures, bulletins, other informational materials, and exhibitions, you can raise awareness of health issues among the general public.

Activities of NAN

• Promote and safeguard the nurses' general welfare as well as the economy.
• Create and uphold a code of ethics for Nepali nurses.
• Act as the ICN's designated spokesperson for Nepalese nurses
• Ensure that nurses can share information with one another through a formal publication.
• ICN Day, NAN Day, and the national conference are all celebrated.
• Launch of many health initiatives, including workshops, seminars, etc.
• Aid in the professional development of its members.
• Support the development of nursing-related legislation.
• Allowing nurses the chance to connect and talk about issues pertaining to their career

Membership

Any professional nurse who completes the program and is approved by the nursing council is eligible to become a full member of NAN. It is possible to become a member of NAN on an annual or life basis, as well as as a guest or honorary member who makes a specific financial commitment to NAN.

Structure of Association

• Unit committee
  • Any healthcare facility may create a NAN unit committee with 9–11 members. The unit committee will be in place for a two-year term.
• District committee
  • A NAN district committee may exist in each district of the nation, with posts for a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and members 5-7.
• Central committee
  • The central committee will have 21 members, including the positions of president, senior vice president, vice president, general secretary, secretary, joint treasurer, member, ANM representative, and five regional members (one from each area), as well as three representatives for the NNC. The committee has a three-year term.
•  Sub-committee
  • According to the needs of the committee, each subcommittee will have a coordinator and four to eight members.
• Financial assistance sub-committee
• Publication committee 
• Inter organization co-ordination committee
• Research sub-committee
• Welfare sub-committee
• Province committee

Consumer/Professional Protection

Patient's Right

Nursing care is shifting from the hospital to the community more and more, so nurses need to understand how various institutions and professional groups define patient's rights. These rights and responsibilities range from "the right to considerate and respectful care" to "the right to be informed of hospital policies and practices that relate to patient care, treatment, and responsibilities."

Patient's Bill of Rights

• The patient has a right to compassionate treatment.
• The patient has the right to full disclosure from doctors and other direct caregivers regarding the diagnosis, course of treatment, and outlook.
• To the degree that it is authorized by law and hospital policy, the patient has the right to decide on the treatment plan before and during the course of treatment, to decline a proposed course of action, and to be informed of the medical repercussions of doing so.
• The patient has the right to make an advance decision regarding their treatment plan or their choice of decision-maker.
• Each and every privacy consideration must be given to the patient. To preserve each patient's privacy, case discussions, consultations, examinations, and treatments should be carried out.
• Except in situations like suspected abuse and public health risks when reporting is allowed or mandated by law, the patient has the right to anticipate that all communications and records relevant to his or her care would be treated as confidential by the hospital.
• Except as prohibited by law, the patient has the right to inspect the records relevant to his or her medical care and to request an explanation or interpretation of the data as needed.
• The patient has the right to anticipate that a hospital will respond to their request for adequate and medically necessary care in a responsible manner, within the bounds of its capabilities and policies.

Care and services

The patient has the right to know whether the hospital, educational institutions, other healthcare providers, or payers have any business links that could affect how the patient is treated and cared for.

• The patient has the right to fully understand proposed research studies and human experiments that will directly affect care and treatment or need direct patient engagement before giving their agreement.
• When necessary, the patient has the right to acceptable continuity of care and the right to information from medical professionals and other caregivers of realistic patient care options accessible when hospital care is no longer necessary.
• The right to information regarding hospital rules and procedures related to patient care, treatment, and duties belongs to the patient.

Nurses' Bill of Rights

Registered nurses safeguard the persons in their care by promoting and restoring health, preventing sickness, and doing so. They strive to lessen the suffering endured by people individually, as well as by families, groups, and communities. By doing this, nurses offer services that respect human dignity and acknowledge each patient's individuality and the nature of their health issues without regard to their social or economic standing. The dignity and autonomy of nurses in the workplace must be safeguarded in order to maximize the contributions they make to society. In order to achieve it, the following rights must be granted:

Nurses are entitled to practice in a way that upholds their duties to society and the people they provide care for.

• Nurses have a right to practice in settings that allow them to follow the legal and ethical boundaries of their scope of practice.
• In line with the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements, nurses have a right to a workplace that encourages and promotes ethical activity.
• Without fear of retaliation, nurses have the freedom to openly and freely advocate for both themselves and their patients.
• Nursing professionals have a right to just compensation that is commensurate with their education, experience, and job duties.
• Nurses are entitled to a workplace that is secure for both them and their patients.
• In all practicing contexts, nurses have the ability to individually or collectively bargain over the terms of their employment.
• Medical professionals, such as doctors, pharmacists, administrators, and nursing directors, have a responsibility to treat nurses with respect. The employer of the nurse should handle any abuse that takes place in a competent and fair manner.
• Nurses have a right to not be mistreated or forced into areas of practice with which they are unfamiliar.
• Any assignment that a nurse deems risky may be rejected by them. For instance, when a nurse is assigned a patient load, he or she feels unsafe, or when a nurse is asked to work in a nursing specialty with which they are unfamiliar, or when a nurse is aware that the equipment or supplies are insufficient or unavailable.