The International Council of Nurses (ICN) was established by?

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a federation of national nurses' associations.
It was founded in 1899 by Ethel Gordon Fenwick, a British nurse also known as Mrs. Bedford Fenwick.
She was a key advocate for the professionalization of nursing and the establishment of a global network for nurses.
The ICN's constitution was adopted in 1900, and its headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland.

Option A: Ruther Gullick is not associated with the founding of the ICN. This name may be a confusion with Luther Gulick, a management theorist.
Option B: There is no historical record of an Evan Sullivan being involved in the establishment of the ICN.
Option C: George McFarland is not credited with founding the ICN. The founder was a prominent female nursing leader.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain History of Nursing and Professional Organizations as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses provides a universal framework for ethical conduct that guides nurses' daily practice, including decisions about patient care, confidentiality, and advocacy.
ICN's work on setting global standards for nursing education and practice influences national nursing regulations and licensure requirements, ensuring a baseline of quality and safety for patients worldwide.
What if the question was about the founder of the American Red Cross? The answer would be Clara Barton, who founded the organization in 1881, demonstrating the importance of knowing key figures in nursing and healthcare history.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core of the question: It asks for the founder of a specific organization, the International Council of Nurses (ICN).
This is a factual recall question based on the history of nursing.
Scan the options for names associated with nursing history.
Recall or look up the history of the ICN. The name 'Bedford Fenwick' is strongly linked to the professionalization of nursing in the UK and the founding of international nursing bodies.
Confirm that Ethel Gordon Fenwick (Mrs. Bedford Fenwick) is the correct founder.
Eliminate the other names as they are not historically connected to the ICN's establishment.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Textbook of Nursing Management and Leadership I. Clemen — Subpart B (pp 328-654 of 982) p. 290-292

E6 Textbook of Nursing Management and Leadership I. Clemen — Subpart C (pp 655-967 of 982) p. 264-266

E6 Principles and Practice of NURSING Management Leadership for BSc Nursing 3rd Edi Jogindra Vati — Subpart A (pp 26-339 of 1017) p. 26-28

Practise the full KPSC Staff Nurse - 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.