The NNF’s history
The Nordic Nurses’ Federation (NNF) has a long history. The idea of Nordic cooperation emerged already in 1912 during the International Council of Nurses (ICN) congress in Cologne. However, the establishment of the Nordic collaboration project was delayed due to the First World War.
The NNF became a reality in 1920
The federation was established in 1920 when the first congress was held in Copenhagen.
“Selv om vort Formaal ikke er store Resolutioner og mægtig samlet Optræden, saa er der en uendelig Styrkefølelse i dette, at vi er en samlet Stand, der stræber efter de samme Maal.”
Invitation to the first meeting of the The Nordic Nurses Federation in 1920 (quote in Danish)
During the first couple of years, the collaboration included only the Finnish, the Swedish, the Norwegian, and the Danish association of nurses. In 1923, the Icelandic association of nurses became an associated member of the NNF. The Faroese association of nurses joined the collaboration in 1998.
Nursing sciences became the key issue
In the beginning, the NNF focused primarily on training of nurses in the Nordic countries. Nurses across the Nordics battled for a three-year-long formal education.
In the 1950s, the NNF initiated the first discussions regarding nursing sciences, and it later became the key issue for the NNF. Consequently, the NNF started publishing the research journal “Vård i Norden” in the fall of 1981. Since 2014, the journal has been published by Vårdförbundet in cooperation with the Swedish Association of Health Professionals.
Today, the NNF holds board meetings at least twice a year. The discussions at the meetings today include national and international matters of importance to the organizations’ members.
100th anniversary
The Nordic Nurses’ Federation (NNF) celebrated its 100th anniversary on 8 September 2020.