128: Investing in Nurses! Nurses Are Humanity in Action
50 min
Addressing the Global Nursing Workforce Shortage Through Leadership and Healthcare Innovation
In a moment marked by rising geopolitical instability, accelerating climate change, recurring pandemics, and deep economic uncertainty, nursing stands at a critical crossroads. The global nursing workforce is already under severe strain, and the World Health Organization projects a shortfall of approximately 4.5 million nurses by 2030. Yet, even as health needs become more complex, health funding is being reduced in many parts of the world while defense spending rises, deepening the resource constraints facing nurses and other frontline health workers.
How Global Nursing Advocacy Is Shaping the Future of Health Systems and Public Policy
For the International Council of Nurses, it means speaking value to power, making the case consistently and convincingly, that nurses are essential to the stability and well-being of individuals, families, communities, and entire nations. It means pushing forward despite workforce shortages, policy barriers, violence, and chronic underfunding. It means dismantling myths and hierarchies and advancing rigorous research to demonstrate the economic and societal return on educating, compensating, and recognizing nurses as the indispensable professionals they are.
In this episode, Oriana Beaudet, VP of Innovation at the American Nurses Association, Credentialing Center, and Foundation, connects with Howard Catton, the Chief Executive
Officer of the International Council of Nurses, who is driving global efforts to support nurses at the ICN. Together, they explore the inventive strategies, advocacy work, and bold solutions shaping the future of nursing. And talk about what it means to meet global challenges with clarity, commitment, and heart.
About See You Now Podcast
SEE YOU NOW is a podcast that shines a light on the real people changing the status quo in health: from nurses working in labor and delivery, with infectious diseases, and in hospice; to nurse allies in politics, business and tech. Created in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson and the American Nurses Association.
For more nursing innovation resources from ANA, visit https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/innovation/resources.
Have questions or feedback for the SEE YOU NOW team? Future episode ideas? Contact us at hello@seeyounowpodcast.com.
Resources
- International Nurses Day
- Caring with Courage (ICN Campaign) (BBC Campaign)
- State of The World's Nursing Report 2025 (WHO)
- Dr. Linda Aiken's Research on Nursing and Patient Outcomes
- WHO Budget vs. Global Military Spending
- U.S. Nurses Receive Only 1 Penny of Every Healthcare Dollar (Study)
- International Council of Nurses (ICN)
- Howard Catton, ICN Chief Executive Officer
- Dr. Vanessa Kerry, WHO Director-General Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health
- Global Nursing Leadership Institute (GNLI)
- American Nurses Association Statement on Proposed Federal Loan Policy Changes
- American Nurses Foundation - Donate
