As FEPI before, and with a renewed enthusiasm and determination, the European Nursing Council (ENC) strives to become the voice of the European regulatory bodies and competent authorities for nursing in order to protect European citizens and patients by securing excellence in (1) nursing competences and practice, (2) professional standards, (3) continuous education and training and (4) codes of conduct. To realize these objectives, we act as an advocate of patient safety towards the European Institutions in order to promote patient safety and public health at the national and European levels. As a healthcare actor EU-wide, we are a valuable source of information for all stakeholders including nursing professionals, policy makers, patients, educators and researchers about nursing related issues across the EU. Since 2004, ENC is also collaborating with a worldwide network of universities and Nursing Councils in order to facilitate sharing of good practice. ENC strives to promote continuous nursing education and training as well as to lobby for high standards of public protection and patient safety. Towards this end, ENC organises periodic conferences and meetings across Europe with professionals from health sectors to increase good practice exchange and to foster dialogue with political and administrative bodies related to health sectors. To comply with our missions, we focus on three main axes of work:

Advocacy

EU related issues of particular interest are discussed in the framework of ENC’s ad hoc Working Groups. An Executive Board, elected by all active ENC members, for a four years mandate, is coordinating all actions. It ensures contact with the Union’s institutions and Bodies and represents ENC in all relevant forums, assisted by the staff of the Secretariat composed of two to three political scientists and EU experts.

Networking

ENC has developed a strong network EU-wide since 2004 and is successfully maintaining close contacts with the European Commission’s Directorate Generals for Health, Research, Competition, Internal Market and Services. Furthermore, our organisation figures to develop strong friendship with several Members of the European Parliament interested in Nursing Professions. In fact, ENC is regularly consulted on issues related to the Liberal Professions more broadly due to its membership of the European Council of the Liberal Professions (CEPLIS).”

Information

ENC Secretariat in Brussels monitors all EU information relating to our profession and forwards it to the member organizations, along with a first analysis, via a monthly newsletter, the “News from Brussels”. Thus, Members come back to the Secretariat with feedback on issues of particular interest to them, sometimes suggesting possibilities of common actions.