On May 12, 2025, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) highlighted a significant global nursing workforce crisis, with a reported shortage of 5.9 million nurses and projections indicating a need for an additional 30 million to meet future healthcare demands.

This alarming shortage is underscored by the World Health Organization (WHO), which emphasizes the critical role nurses play in healthcare systems, providing continuous support for patients from admission to home care.

ICN President Pamela Cipriano pointed out that overwhelming burnout among nurses is largely due to poor working conditions, inadequate pay, and high levels of workplace violence, with over 86 percent of nurses reporting violence from patients or the public.

Interest in nursing careers is declining, with nearly half of OECD countries observing reduced enthusiasm for the profession between 2018 and 2022, which contributes to the ongoing crisis.

The exodus of nurses is particularly concerning, as almost half of National Nursing Associations have reported a significant increase in departures from the profession, exacerbating the global shortage.

Moreover, over 50 percent of healthcare professionals are contemplating leaving their jobs due to unsustainable workloads and lack of resources, further threatening the stability of healthcare systems.

Compounding these issues, 72.1 percent of nurses have reported no salary increases since 2021, highlighting a disconnect between their contributions and compensation.

In response to these challenges, the 'Caring for Nurses' Agenda has been introduced, outlining seven priority areas for improving nurses' working conditions and preventing burnout.

This agenda stresses the need for long-term strategies over short-term fixes, urging global stakeholders to expand education, strengthen regulations, improve pay, and invest in nursing leadership.

Investing in nurse welfare is not only a moral imperative but also an economic one, with potential returns of $2 to $4 for every dollar spent on health systems.

As part of International Nurses Day, the theme 'Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies' emphasizes the financial sense of investing in nursing care, linking nurses' well-being directly to population health.

The lack of investment in public health has significant economic repercussions, costing about 15% of the global GDP annually, while poor healthcare quality can lead to losses of up to $1.6 billion per year in lower-income countries.