Beyond Borders: How Nurse Practitioners Can Engage With Global Health in an Interconnected World

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Nursing Practice
• Health Equity

Background:

• Global health challenges necessitate expanded roles for nurse practitioners (NPs) beyond local practice.
• Historical colonialism impacts contemporary global health issues and NP practice.
• Key issues include pandemics, climate change, antimicrobial resistance, migration, and conflict.

Purpose of the Study:

• Examine contemporary global health issues affecting NP practice.
• Identify actionable strategies for NPs at practice and policy levels.
• Recommend priority areas for NP engagement in global health.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of historical foundations and contemporary global health challenges.
• Analysis of NP roles in addressing pandemics, climate change, antimicrobial resistance, migration, and conflict.
• Identification of actionable practice and policy recommendations for NPs.

Main Results:

• NPs can implement specific actions in practice and policy to address global health issues.
• Three priority areas for NP engagement are proposed: education, culturally competent care, and advocacy.
• Decolonizing approaches and global health perspectives enhance NP effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• NPs can significantly contribute to addressing global health challenges.
• Integrating global health into education and practice is crucial.
• Advocacy for equitable policies and international funding is essential for health equity.