Under the theme "Nurses together: a force for global health", the biannual event allowed for the sharing of best practice, research and knowledge to be shared on a global scale.
Pacific models of care were given a voice at this year’s ICN Congress, through Samoan Registered Nurse Practitioner, Catherine Tu’akalau.
The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) was pleased to support Tu'akalau's attendance of the ICN Congress, as she co-chaired the bid for the 14th ICN Nurse Practitioner/Advanced Practice Nurse Network (ICN/NP/APN) Conference to take place in Wellington, New Zealand in 2026.
Tu'akalau's journey in the health sector began long before her formal training in nursing and health sciences.
“As the eldest of five children, I would look after my younger siblings whilst my parents were doing their evening cleaning job. In addition to this I grew up surrounded by my elders. When I would go and visit relatives who were in hospital I actually loved seeing the wards, the clinical equipment and the nurses and doctors.”
Tu'akalau explains the importance and value in Pacific representation such as the ICN Congress, and the hopes of hosting the upcoming ICN NP/APN.
“The thought of hosting it here in New Zealand would allow for our Pacific and Australia neighbours to attend but more importantly showcase our multi-cultural diverse nursing model of care.
“Some of the positive impacts for nurses and health professionals that I hope to see, should our bid be successful to host the ICN APN/NP conference in Wellington, is that we get to showcase how we emphasise cultural competency and sensitivity in the health workforce which I think is unique compared to the rest of the world.
"This will allow our Pacific and Australian nurses abroad and our current nursing workforce to network, create that va, and form key relationships with international nursing organisations. This will also be a driving force for our nurses to upskill, whether at a clinical level or health policy level. It is about the ability to make that change to be able to serve their communities in a more effective and meaningful way.”