The All-Ukrainian Conference “Developing Nursing through Professional Standards: Ukrainian Experience and International Practice” was held in Kyiv, bringing together over 9,700 participants, both in person and online
The event united representatives from government bodies, professional associations, educational institutions, international partners, healthcare experts, the National Qualifications Agency, and trade unions.
Opening the conference, Mykola Polishchuk, President of the Ukrainian Red Cross, highlighted the organisation’s humanitarian mission and its historical connection to nursing:
“The Ukrainian Red Cross has been at the forefront of nursing as a profession founded on humanity, service, and trust. Supporting professional standards in nursing is our contribution to delivering quality care and strengthening the resilience of the healthcare system.”
Conference participants emphasised the importance of collaboration between the state and civil society organisations for the development of nursing.
Kateryna Komar, Director of the Centre for Nursing Development of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, stated:
“Professional standards provide a way of building trust between the state, employers, and healthcare professionals. They enable the rapid scaling up of care, the training of personnel, and the recognition of nurses as autonomous professionals. The involvement of the Ukrainian Red Cross in developing these standards ensures their practical value and sustainability.”
As part of the conference, panel discussions and expert sessions were held, during which:
- Preparations for legislative changes were initiated, and efforts were made to align nursing with European standards.
- The concept of a multi-level system for professional development was presented.
- The autonomy of the nursing profession was reaffirmed, and career pathways were outlined.
- The role of nurses in delivering health and social care services and ensuring access to primary healthcare was emphasised.
- The development of a leadership community and the standardisation of practice were supported.
Summing up the discussions, Hanna Hlushchenko, Nursing Development Specialist at the Health Department of the Ukrainian Red Cross, noted:
“The development of professional standards is an investment in the sustainability of the healthcare system. They strengthen the role of nurses in communities and ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality care.”
The event was organised by the Ukrainian Red Cross in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Centre for Nursing Development of the Ministry of Health, and the Vocational College of the Ukrainian Red Cross, with support from the Norwegian Red Cross, the French Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Volyn and Zhytomyr Medical Institutes.
The conference served as a key platform for shaping a shared vision for the development of nursing in Ukraine, grounded in trust, professionalism, and accountability to the people.
