IMIA-NI's past achievements are reflected upon in the context of its current strategic directions. Two key historical milestones are described in some detail, the ISO Reference terminology model for nursing and the International Nursing Minimum Data Set development project, as this work is continuing to influence future directions in health and nursing informatics. Current features of our health care environment are explored noting the current desire of most nations to implement electronic health records (EHRs) and its relationship with IMIA-NI's strategic directions. Nurses can play their part by working collaboratively, converting their knowledge into computer processable formats, establishing the necessary professional knowledge governance infrastructure and lobbying key decision makers to establish national infrastructures that will enable the adoption and optimum use of EHRs.