Readying the Nursing Workforce to Embrace an Ever-Changing World

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Health Policy
• Environmental Health

Background:

• The world is experiencing a polycrisis, marked by economic instability, global trade wars, and workforce shortages.
• Healthcare systems face accessibility and availability challenges due to struggling health workforces.
• Worsening planetary health contributes to food and water insecurity, health inequities, and forced migration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical state of global challenges impacting health and well-being.
• To emphasize the urgent need for action to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• To address the high attrition rates among nurses and nurse practitioners and challenging working conditions.

Main Methods:

• This study is a review and synthesis of current global challenges.
• Analysis of workforce data and health system performance.
• Examination of environmental factors impacting health outcomes.

Main Results:

• The world is significantly off track to meet the 2030 SDGs.
• Record numbers of nurses and nurse practitioners are leaving the profession.
• Challenging working conditions persist across health systems.

Conclusions:

• The current global situation presents "wicked problems" that demand innovative solutions.
• Despite challenges, a healthier future for all is achievable through collective resolve.
• Adapting to a constantly changing world requires a commitment to creating sustainable health systems.