As the world commemorates International Nurses Day on May 12, 2025, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has raised a red flag about what it describes as an “unprecedented crisis” facing the global nursing workforce — one with far-reaching consequences for public health, economic stability, and the future of global healthcare.
Under the theme, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for Nurses Strengthens Health Systems and Economies,” the ICN emphasizes the urgent need to invest in the wellbeing and professional development of nurses.
Pamela Cipriano, President of ICN, emphasised the urgent challenges facing the nursing profession and called for greater care and sustained investment in the wellbeing of nurses.
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“Across the globe, nurses are reaching a breaking point—overwhelmed by burnout and subjected to immense physical, mental, and emotional strain. The crisis is being fueled by unacceptable working conditions, insufficient compensation, lack of protection from workplace violence and occupational hazards, and limited opportunities for professional growth or practicing to the full extent of their training,” she noted.
“ These systemic failures are not only endangering the wellbeing of nurses, but also jeopardizing the overall health of our communities and the resilience of healthcare systems worldwide,” she added.
“Our nurses are the backbone of healthcare systems worldwide,yet, they are overworked, under-supported, and increasingly leaving the profession,” said Chikwe Ihekweazu, acting WHO regional director for Africa.
“The world cannot afford to ignore this crisis any longer, as this trend could impact our health systems,” he noted.
He emphasized the need for greater support and increased investment in the nursing profession to strengthen healthcare systems and ensure better patient outcomes.
According to ICN’s 2025 report, “Investing in the global nursing workforce could boost productivity by 20% and generate economic returns ranging from $100 to $300 billion globally.”
The report also paints a stark picture of the current situation: “There is a global shortage of 5.9 million nurses,” it states.
Moreover, projections from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation suggest that meeting future healthcare demands will require an additional 30 million nurses worldwide.
Despite growing awareness of this workforce emergency, ICN criticizes the reliance on short-term fixes like international recruitment and task-shifting to less-skilled workers.
“These strategies may offer temporary relief,” the report argues, “but they do not solve the root issues around recruitment, retention, and working conditions.
In some cases, they may even exacerbate the crisis by draining skilled professionals from countries already facing shortages.”
A closer look at the workforce
Nurses account for about 2.5 percent of the global workforce according to ICN reports.
The 2024 survey of 68 National Nursing Associations (NNAs), conducted by ICN paints a troubling portrait of the global nursing landscape.
Since 2021, nearly two-thirds of NNAs report that nurses are facing increased workloads, stretching an already overburdened workforce, according to the report.
Alarmingly, 38 percent of NNAs rated their country’s capacity to meet current healthcare demands as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’, suggesting that healthcare systems in many regions are teetering under pressure.
The report noted that the strain is compounded by a troubling exodus from the profession, with 48.4 percent of NNAs citing a significant rise in nurses leaving the field—worsening the global shortage.
Meanwhile, job satisfaction has plummeted, as 61 percent of nurses report moderate to extreme job strain, a figure twice the average across all professions, the report stated.
Perhaps most concerning for the future is the declining interest in nursing careers, with nearly half of OECD countries seeing a drop in enthusiasm for the profession between 2018 and 2022, according to OECD/European report.
Nurses are increasingly facing serious threats to their safety, with workplace violence becoming a growing concern.
According to a recent NNA survey, over 86 percent of nurses reported experiencing violence from patients or members of the public.
Alarmingly, more than two-thirds have also faced aggression from their own coworkers. This pervasive violence not only endangers nurses physically and emotionally but also undermines the overall safety and stability of the healthcare environment.
Despite their vital role on the front lines of patient care, nurses continue to be undervalued.
The same survey revealed that 72.1 percent of nurses have seen little to no increase in their salaries since 2021, highlighting a troubling disconnect between their contributions and the recognition they receive.
This combination of workplace violence and stagnant compensation contributes to burnout, low morale, and retention challenges, which ultimately impact the quality of care patients receive.
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Economic benefits and strategic solutions
According to ICN, investing in the health and well-being of nurses is not just a moral imperative but also an economic one. Studies consistently show that every dollar invested in health systems can generate a $2-$4 return.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on global stakeholders to take urgent action by prioritizing five key steps to support and empower nurses: expanding education and training, strengthening regulations, establishing advanced practice roles, improving pay and mental health support, and investing in nursing leadership.
The Caring for Nurses Agenda outlines a practical, actionable framework to address the ongoing crisis in the nursing workforce.
“It’s time to move beyond short-term fixes and commit to sustainable, long-term strategies that uplift the profession, ICN noted.
“Investing in nurses is not only a moral obligation—it is an economic necessity. The evidence is clear: the time to act is now. By supporting and empowering nurses, we can ensure the delivery of high-quality care and help build a healthier, and prosperous future for all,” the report emphasizes.
