The Global Nursing Shortage: An Overview of Issues and Actions

TLDR

The worldwide nursing shortage is straining health systems, and growing international momentum—supported by the ICN, the world’s largest nursing federation—highlights the need for coordinated action to ensure quality care and sound health policies. The article reviews the global nursing shortage crisis, outlines ICN perspectives, and examines ICN initiatives to address it. The authors organize solutions into five priority areas: policy intervention, macroeconomic and health‑sector funding, workforce planning and regulation, positive practice environments, and retention, recruitment, and leadership. ICN’s major initiative produced key insights into the nursing shortage and potential solutions.

Abstract

Today's global nursing shortage is having an adverse impact on health systems around the world. A major initiative by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) yielded important information regarding the shortage and solutions to it. These are organized into five priority areas: policy intervention; macroeconomics and health sector funding; workforce planning and policy, including regulation; positive practice environments; and retention and recruitment (includes migration); and nursing leadership. Internationally momentum is building, providing the opportunity to bring attention to these issues and to take action. This article presents an overview of the global nursing shortage (which, since 2002, has been termed a global crisis), provides the perspectives of the ICN, and discusses the ICN's initiatives regarding that crisis. Founded in 1899, the ICN is the world's first and largest organization for health professionals. As a federation of national nurses' associations in 129 countries, ICN represents the more than 13 million nurses working worldwide. It works to ensure quality nursing care for all, sound health policies globally, the advancement of nursing knowledge, and the presence worldwide of a respected, competent professional workforce.