Global Health and Global Nursing: Setting the Context

Advanced practice nurses (APNs)—nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anaesthetists, and nurse midwives—have historically been and continue to be modern leaders in global health and sustainable development around the world. As the world faces a multitude of crises today from global climate change, COVID-19 pandemic recovery, an ageing population, and a rise in non-communicable diseases, APNs are increasingly important for achieving global universal health coverage and advancing sustainable development in health and well-being. APNs are leaders in direct clinical care of individuals, families, and communities. They also are leaders in health systems navigation, administration, policy development, advocacy, and societal education within the health, social, and non-health sectors. They strengthen health care by embedding evidence and innovation. Despite all the human capital and expertise APNs bring to the health workforce, they face underdeveloped roles, a lack of sustained integrated investments in many contexts, and limitations on full APN scope of practice in a variety of settings and sectors locally to globally. APNs have established strong global networks enabling them to advocate for and mobilise the advancement, implementation, and support of APN roles, build system capacity, and promote better health and well-being around the world.