Investment in nursing reaps rewards

On 12 May nurses across the country celebrated International Nurses Day (IND) – and although the theme of many events rightly focused on being proud to be a nurse, in advance of IND, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) report (2024) focused on the theme ‘Our Nurses. Our Future. The economic power of care’. This report encourages senior nursing leaders to review the evidence base and reveal the full value of nurses beyond their expert compassionate care.

The report shares key insights into the evidence base of how the focus on the right investment in the nursing profession will be the catalyst for global improvements in the delivery of health care, economic improvements, and the wellbeing of society. I would urge all of us to read this report, which is full of fascinating global case studies and research evidence that can be used in decision making for local planning in the UK. The report contains several key insights.