Key future challenges for global nursing 

By 2030, the world could be short up to 11 million nurses unless action is taken to increase retention and bring new recruits into the healthcare workforce, according to the International Council of Nurses (ICN).

Below, we take a look at the worldwide workforce shortage and other major challenges facing the global nursing profession. 

Sustain and retain the global nursing workforce 

The ICN, known as the global voice of nursing, has warned that the latest information about nurse vacancies, their rates of intention to leave and staff sickness means that workforce shortage is now the greatest threat to global health.  

Its Sustain and Retain in 2022 and Beyond report forecasts that continued under funding, insufficient staffing, lack of protection, increased stress, heavy workloads and low wages could push the global nurse shortage from 5.9 million in 2019/20 pre-pandemic to between seven and 11 million over the next decade.  

Calling on international governments to address funding shortages, ICN Chief Executive Officer, Howard Catton said: “The value of nurses has never been clearer not only to our healthcare systems but also our global peace and security. Nor could it be any clearer that not enough is being done to protect nurses and other health workers, tragically underscored by the more than 180,000 health worker deaths due to COVID-19. Access to healthcare is central to safe, secure, economically successful and equitable societies, but it cannot be achieved unless there are enough nurses to provide the care needed.” 

Reduce and respond to the health consequences of climate change 

The nursing profession faces global challenges as a result of the severe toll on patients and communities from climate change, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

This includes rising sickness and deaths from heat waves, air pollution, respiratory illness, disease outbreaks and mental health illnesses as the consequences of loss of livelihoods, rising temperatures and trauma from extreme weather events. 

Speaking at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) annual conference in June 2022, WHO’s Chief Nursing Officer, Elizabeth Iro urged global health authorities to equip nurses with the information, tools and leadership skills to develop and deliver the services that will be needed in future.  

She said: “Climate change is a public health issue and the adverse health effects demands actions from the global nursing profession. We have an obligation to be educated and to be engaged…Nurses must know how to support and care for communities suffering from trauma as a result of catastrophic events brought about by climate change.” 

Invest in nursing education and strengthen nurse leadership 

In 2020, the ‘International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife’, WHO published its first State of the world’s nursing report based on findings from analysis of National Health Workforce Account (NHWA) data from 191 member states.  

It recommends governments and all relevant stakeholders invest in the massive acceleration of nursing education to address global needs, meet domestic demand, and respond to changing technologies and advancing models of integrated health and social care.

Critical to this is the need to strengthen nurse leadership – of both current and future nurses – to ensure that nurses have an influential role in health policy formulation and decision-making, and contribute to the effectiveness of health and social care systems. 

The report states: “Nurse education and training programmes must graduate nurses who drive progress in primary health care and universal health coverage. Curricula must be aligned with national health priorities as well as emerging global issues to prepare nurses to work effectively in interprofessional teams and maximize graduate competencies in health technology.” 

Why study our MSc in Nursing? 

At the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), we offer an online, part-time MSc in Nursing designed specifically for qualified nurses. It enables registered nurses from all areas of the profession to study flexibly around work and other commitments – you can advance your education, build your skillset and gain a deeper understanding of the global profession, its changing priorities and challenges.  

The Organisational and Leadership Management module, for example, develops your ability to think critically and strategically about your leadership or management practice.

You’ll learn how organisational structures respond to political and social change and analyse how leadership and management styles influence organisational change. We’ll also give you the tools to facilitate change and influence policy in whatever healthcare system you work within. 

To find out more and how to apply to start the course in January, May or September, contact our friendly Course Adviser team by completing the form below, or visit our MSc Nursing course page: