Disrupting Policy and Practice: Refugees Shaping the Future

For decades, refugee policies on local, national, regional, and international levels have set the narrative surrounding refugees' identities and roles in society. Often, these policies negatively affect refugees and can hinder any effort for successful integration (ie, employment). The focus of this article is to identity how refugees, specifically refugee nurses, are reshaping standard policy practices when it comes to integration and inclusion, as well as economic and social well-being. With an estimated 68.5 million forcibly displaced persons worldwide (25.4 million of which are refugees), it is important to shed light on the importance of including their voices in the dialogue during all stages of the policy development process. They should be included in the dialogue, from agenda setting to evaluation, in order to challenge current beliefs and attitudes. It is critical for societies to recognize refugee nurses' professional qualifications, skills, and abilities in order to address the ongoing shortages of health professionals that many nations are facing today.