History of the ENDA
In 1992, in Geneva, Switzerland, a group of Nurse Directors gathered with one aim. To build a network between Nurse Directors throughout Europe that would support the development of nurse leadership in Europe. But where to start? So their first goal was to call out for their colleagues in Europe by organising a congress in 1993. This congress was a huge success. Those present adapted the idea and the name they chose was the European Nurse Directors Association (ENDA). Not so creative but very effective and more or less a statement that this association was meant for those nurses who worked in top positions, on a decision level and in an hospital.
The key aims of ENDA are:
- To strengthen the nursing contribution to policy making in the context of healthcare management in Europe;
- To further the development of the art and science of nursing leadership and management in Europe and
- To establish formal links between Nurse Directors across Europe to support a communication network of experts.
At the Brussels congress in 1997 the ENDA was formally founded and did choose a Board out of the country representatives. This conference was focussed on the specific situation of health care leadership in the different countries. As mostly the Western European countries were present the ENDA decided to reach out for their Eastern colleagues and so the 4th congress in 1999 was held in Halle, Germany, in the former DDR. During this congress the first tentative plan was presented for the next four years and formal contacts were established with the WHO and the PCN. In those years the ENDA conducted a research on the strengths and weaknesses of Nurse Directors in their own country and position. The results were presented by Jacqui Filkins and Ricarda Klein on the 5th congress in Rotterdam, in 2001.
As a part of this presentation some subjects were outlined and pointed out for the Glasgow conference in 2003. In 2005, in Vienna, the ENDA looked to the future and presented its action plan.
Since 8 June 2007 the new foundation 'ENDA' is a registered association with residence in Hamburg, Germany.
Some outcomes of ENDA activities are:
- The work on the SWOT-analysis enables the investigation and the comparison of nurse directors and shows reasons for ethical decisions in relation to the work of the nurse directors.
- ENDA took politically a firm stand for the acceptance of professional qualification Europe-wide.
- ENDA built up an expanded network and works for its continued increase and outreach.
- the preparation of the 9th ENDA-Congress in Helsinki/Finland
- the extension of the network especially with the EFN, HOPE and the Nutrition for Health Alliance
- projects according to the structure of leadership for nursing.
In one of the last meeetings of the Committee the decisionwas made not to be only an organization for Nurse Directors but for Nurse Leaders of different kinds. Like Primary Health Care, Research, Education etc. etc. Therefore the ENDA's website changed her name.
ENDA’s website is: www.eu-nurse-leaders.org.November 2008