A Call to Action: International Classification for Nursing Practice Integration for Undergraduate Nursing Education in the UAE – A Narrative Review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56294/mw2025830

Keywords:

International Classification for Nursing Practice, Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine – Clinical Terms, Nursing Education, Health Informatics, Standardized Terminology

Abstract

Introduction: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is experiencing rapid changes in healthcare and education, yet undergraduate nursing education faces challenges in addressing the theory-practice gap and adopting standardized terminologies. The international classification for nursing practice (ICNP) offers a framework to enhance nursing education, but its integration remains underexplored. Development: This review evaluates the potential of ICNP, combined with the systematized nomenclature of medicine – clinical terms (SNOMED CT), to improve patient care, interprofessional collaboration, and healthcare system efficiency. It proposes a phased curriculum integration plan, identifies stakeholder roles, and addresses global adoption challenges. The review highlights benefits for career preparedness, health informatics, and data interoperability. Conclusion: Integrating ICNP into UAE nursing education can bridge the theory-practice gap, enhance global competitiveness, and align with national health priorities. A structured implementation plan ensures sustainability, positioning UAE nursing education as a leader in health informatics.

References

1. Coenen A. The International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP®) Programme: Advancing a Unifying Framework for Nursing. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. 2003;8(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol8No02PPT01

2. Rutherford M. Standardized Nursing Language: What Does It Mean for Nursing Practice? OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. 2008;13(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol13No01PPT05

3. WHO. International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP). 2023.

4. SNOMED International. SNOMED CT: Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms. 2025.

5. Tommasi V, Bassola B, Alfieri S, Cilluffo S, Lusignani M. Perceived knowledge on the ICNP© in undergraduate nursing students: the development of a scale. International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship. 2023;20(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ijnes-2023-0021

6. Saifan A, Devadas B, Daradkeh F, Abdel-Fattah H, Aljabery M, Michael LM. Solutions to bridge the theory-practice gap in nursing education in the UAE: a qualitative study. BMC Medical Education. 2021;21(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02919-x

7. International Council of Nurses. New ICNP-SNOMED CT Nursing Practice Refset. 2021.

8. Kim TY. Automating lexical cross-mapping of ICNP to SNOMED CT. Informatics for Health and Social Care. 2014;41(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/17538157.2014.948173

9. Zhang T, Wu X, Peng G, Zhang Q, Chen L, Cai Z, et al. c. International Journal of Nursing Knowledge. 2021;32(4):220–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/2047-3095.12315

10. Kim J, Macieira TGR, Meyer SL, Ansell (Maggie) M, Bjarnadottir (Raga) RI, Smith MB, et al. Towards implementing SNOMED CT in nursing practice: A scoping review. Vol. 134, International Journal of Medical Informatics. 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2019.104035

11. Avelino CCV, Costa LCS da, Buchhorn SMM, Nogueira DA, Goyatá SLT. Teaching-learning evaluation on the ICNP® using virtual learning environment. Revista brasileira de enfermagem. 2017;70(3). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2016-0545

12. Harerimana A, Wicking K, Biedermann N, Yates K. Integrating nursing informatics into undergraduate nursing education in Africa: A scoping review. Vol. 68, International Nursing Review. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12618

13. Rosa WE, Burnett C, Butler C, Rolle P, Salvage J, Wignall A, et al. The ICN Global Nursing Leadership Institute: Integrating the SDGs into Leadership and Policy Development. American Journal of Nursing. 2021;121(12). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NAJ.0000803204.19511.8a

14. Kleib M, Jackman D, Wisnesky UD, Ali S. Academic Electronic Health Records in Undergraduate Nursing Education: Mixed Methods Pilot Study. JMIR Nursing. 2021;4(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/26944

15. Brownie SM, Hunter LH, Aqtash S, Day GE. Establishing Policy Foundations and Regulatory Systems to Enhance Nursing Practice in the United Arab Emirates. Policy, Politics, and Nursing Practice. 2015;16(1–2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1527154415583396

Downloads

Published

2025-10-10

How to Cite

1.
Elzeiny A, Loutfy A, Elzieny AA. A Call to Action: International Classification for Nursing Practice Integration for Undergraduate Nursing Education in the UAE – A Narrative Review. Seminars in Medical Writing and Education [Internet]. 2025 Oct. 10 [cited 2025 Dec. 29];4:830. Available from: https://mw.ageditor.ar/index.php/mw/article/view/830