Global Crisis, Collective Solution: Addressing the Worldwide Nurse Staffing Crisis

Submitted by ADonahue on
Nurses marching, holding signs "Global Nurses Solidarity"

This new report by Global Nurses United examines the global nurse staffing crisis affecting healthcare systems worldwide. Drawing on research from across the globe and the collective experiences of our member unions, we document how understaffing endangers both nurses and patients while undermining healthcare quality. The crisis manifests differently between regions—with the Global North experiencing workforce exodus due to poor conditions while the Global South struggles with severe resource limitations—but the root causes share common themes: undervaluation of nursing work, inadequate labor protections, technological disruption without proper oversight, and systemic disinvestment in public health infrastructure. This report details how organized collective action by nurses has proven most effective in securing meaningful reforms, particularly nurse-to-patient ratio legislation. We conclude that strengthening labor rights and empowering nurses to advocate for workplace improvements are essential components of any effective solution to the global nurse staffing crisis.

Read the GNU press release on the report here.

Read the full report in the following languages:

Materials

Solidarity Without Borders

Social media photo frames

Go to the following links for galleries including downloadable versions for each of these languages:

Solidarity without borders signs (11x17)

Solidarity without borders signs (letter size)