The International Home Care Nurses Organization (IHCNO) began in November 2009, when home healthcare nurses answered a series of Home Healthcare Nurse editorials written by Tina Marrelli [The Interdisciplinary Team, A Free Resource, and a Survey to Complete about the International Home Healthcare Nurses Organization (IHCNO), 27(3), 138-139; Update about the International Home Healthcare Nurses Organization-A Functional Home Healthcare Nurse-Focused "Meeting Place," 27(9), 513; National Home Care and Hospice Month, Holiday Readings, and an IHCNO Update, 28(10), 581-582]. Since then, the IHCNO has been led by a small group of committed volunteers, who welcome input and assistance with the growth of the organization. This commentary will serve as a short update of some of the progress the IHCNO has recently achieved worldwide.
The IHCNO achieved several milestones this past spring, increasing the organization's international exposure and deepening its Internet resources. First, two IHCNO representatives, Tina Marrelli and the author, presented a poster entitled "Excellence in the Patient's Home through Global Connections: An International Organization for Home Care Nurses(IHCNO)" at the International Council of Nurses (ICN) biennial meeting held in Valleta, Malta, May 2-8, 2011. The ICN attracts nurses from all over the world and nurses from over 65 countries participated at the Malta ICN meeting. Through this meeting, nurses from diverse countries, interested in promoting excellence in home healthcare nursing, joined IHCNO's network.
The poster was also presented in Perth, Australia, at the International Conference on Innovations in Nursing May 2011. This conference attracted many nurses from "down under." At this meeting as well, nurses wanting to be part of an international community of nurses, who spur one another on to innovation and excellence in providing the highest-quality care for patients in their homes, were excited to join the IHCNO community.
Finally, the IHCNO revised and deepened its Web site at http://www.ihcno.org, with tabs to more information and resources for home healthcare nurses. Web site tabs now open several pages, including web pages describing IHCNO's mission, vision, goals and benefits; the history and development of the IHCNO; and resources of particular interest to home healthcare nurses. Tabs have also been set up to help nurses interested in conducting home healthcare research find mentors and to help potential donors determine why funding the IHCNO might interest them.
The IHCNO requires no dues because it is an all-volunteer organization and seeks to be an organization that is run by its members for its members. The organization's goal is to develop a vibrant community of nurses who connect, communicate, and collaborate with one another electronically. The IHCNO is currently experimenting with various e-platforms, including Linked-In.com and the World Health's Organization's Global Alliance for Nursing and Midwifery communication listserv. The IHCNO is still searching for an e-platform that promotes quick, easy, robust communication, and collaboration.
The IHCNO seeks to provide opportunities for home healthcare nurses of diverse cultures and locations to learn from one another. Through collegial relationships, IHCNO members will be able to develop leadership skills, perform home care research, share educational programs, and advocate for policies that promote the health and well-being of patients living at home. Future plans include an annual international conference to advance home healthcare nursing practice. Stay tuned!!
Information about becoming a member of the IHCNO is available at http://www.ihcno.org or by e-mailing [email protected]. The poster presented at the Malta and Perth nursing conferences is also available on the IHCNO Web site (http://www.ihcno.org).