The World Patients Alliance (WPA) is launching Phase II of Heart of Healthcare: Celebrating Our Nurses. This phase focuses on recognising nurses’ contributions, raising awareness of the challenges they face, and advancing system-level changes that better support the nursing workforce. By strengthening support for nurses, WPA aims to reinforce health systems and improve patient care worldwide.

This phase marks a transition from building awareness to delivering concrete initiatives designed to ensure that the gratitude of patients translates into lasting systemic change. By centring our efforts around three strategic pillars: Global Recognition, Structured Advocacy, and Tangible Support, this Phase will foster a deeper partnership between patients and the nursing workforce.

Nurses are the heart of healthcare. They provide clinical care, compassion, emotional reassurance, and resilience in the most demanding circumstances. From primary care to hospital wards and emergency settings, nurses are often the constant presence that keeps patient care safe and continuous.

Yet the nursing profession continues to face serious challenges. Workforce shortages, burnout, and inadequate support are putting pressure on nurses and on healthcare delivery. When nurses are stretched beyond limits, patient safety and care quality are affected. Supporting nurses is not optional. It is essential.

Patients continue this campaign because they know what nurses mean to care outcomes. Nurses are not only caregivers. They are advocates, communicators, and trusted support for patients and families. Patients witness the strain nurses carry and the conditions they work under.

This phase reflects a clear commitment: we see you, we value you, and we will stand with you, with sustained visibility, structured advocacy, and tangible action.

Heart of Healthcare is developed in response to urgent issues affecting nurses globally, including:

Global shortage: The nursing profession faces a projected shortage of 13 million nurses by 2030.

Burnout and chronic stress: Over 55% of healthcare workers experience chronic stress, with many considering leaving the profession.

Staffing crises: 89% of U.S. healthcare organisations report significant staffing challenges that affect quality of care.

Emergency and crisis settings: Nurses in emergency and conflict contexts face safety, emotional, physical, and logistical strain.

Working conditions: Low wages, long hours, and limited support reduce job satisfaction and increase attrition.

These challenges impact nurses directly. And they also undermine patient care and health system sustainability.

WPA advances the original purpose of the campaign with a stronger focus on sustained delivery. The campaign aims to:

Recognition and celebration: Keep nurses publicly valued and visible.

Awareness: Strengthen understanding of nurses’ workforce challenges and the link to patient safety.

Advocacy: Push for practical, system-level improvements in working conditions and support.

Retention and workforce development: Promote wellbeing, and professional growth that help nurses stay in the profession.

Tangible support: Provide usable campaign tools and shared spaces that enable partners and communities to participate.

We invite you to join WPA in continuing Heart of Healthcare. You can support the campaign by sharing its messages, amplifying nurses’ voices, using campaign resources, to strengthen recognition and advocacy.

Together, we can help build healthcare systems where nurses are protected, supported, and able to deliver safe care for every patient.