The “Heart of Healthcare: Celebrating Our Nurses" campaign by the World Patients Alliance (WPA) aims to address the critical nursing shortage and the factors that foster this crisis by celebrating and supporting nurses, raising awareness of their challenges, and advocating for better working conditions. This campaign, in tandem with, the WPA 2nd World Patients Conference in October 2024, will feature a series of activities designed to recognize nurses, raise awareness of their issues, and promote better working environments.

Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system, playing an essential role in delivering compassionate and high-quality care. However, the nursing profession is currently facing an unprecedented crisis. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, studies reveal, the global shortage of nurses was estimated at 5.9 million and projections indicate a need for over 13 million nurses worldwide by 2030 to bridge this gap. The pandemic has only exacerbated the existing nurse supply shortfall, forcing rapid policy responses globally to try to increase nurse supply. This shortage has severe implications for patient safety, quality of care, and the overall functionality of healthcare systems.

Several factors contribute to the nursing shortage. The aging workforce is a significant issue, with many nurses nearing retirement age. Increased demand for healthcare services has also heightened the need for more nurses. Additionally, nurses are experiencing high levels of stress and burnout, driven by long shifts, constant pressure, lack of support, and compassion fatigue. Working conditions for nurses often include inadequate pay and limited access to professional development opportunities, further exacerbating the attrition rate in the profession. The pandemic has intensified these challenges, pushing many nurses to leave the profession or retire earlier than planned.

The “Heart of Healthcare: Celebrating Our Nurses" campaign has four primary goals: to recognize and celebrate nurses, raise awareness about the challenges they face, advocate for better working conditions, and retain and attract individuals to the nursing profession.

• Firstly, the campaign aims to show appreciation for nurses through various public and private acknowledgments. By recognizing their hard work and dedication, we hope to boost morale and highlight the critical role nurses play in healthcare.
• Secondly, raising awareness is crucial. The campaign will highlight the significant challenges nurses face daily and emphasize the essential part they play in healthcare delivery. This awareness is intended to garner public support and understanding of the nursing profession’s demands and pressures.
• Thirdly, the campaign seeks to advocate for better working conditions. By engaging in advocacy with policymakers, raising public awareness, collaborating with healthcare stakeholders, and empowering patients to demand better conditions, the campaign aims to promote policy changes and institutional support to improve the working conditions for nurses.
• Lastly, the campaign aims to encourage retention and attraction to the nursing profession. By enhancing public perception and support for nurses, we hope to make nursing a more attractive and sustainable career choice for future generations.

The “Heart of Healthcare: Celebrating Our Nurses" campaign will undertake various activities to achieve these goals.

• The campaign will kick-start with a webinar featuring experts, nurses, and healthcare leaders who will discuss the value and challenges of the nursing profession. This event aims to promote awareness and understanding of the critical issues nurses face and explore potential solutions.
• A comprehensive blog post titled “Through the Patients' Eyes: The Importance of Conducive Work Environment for Nurses" will be featured on the WPA website and social media platforms. This blog will discuss patients' observations and narratives on the importance of nurses and the need for a conducive work environment for them.
• Additionally, an informative leaflet for patient advocates will be developed and distributed. This leaflet will outline the key issues facing nurses, the impact of the shortage, and actionable ways to help support nurses at both individual and organizational levels.
• The campaign will also include a heartfelt poem dedicated to nurses, highlighting their dedication and impact from a patient’s perspective. This tribute will be featured in the conference program, distributed to attendees, and shared online for optimum outreach.
• Letters of appreciation will be drafted and sent to individual nurses and major nursing organizations worldwide. These letters will express support, acknowledge efforts, and offer collaboration opportunities, reinforcing the message of appreciation and solidarity.
• One of the endorsement activities is the design and distribution of badges and buttons with messages of appreciation for nurses. These will be worn by participants at the WPA 2nd World Patients Conference and distributed in their home countries, ensuring a widespread show of support and recognition.

• Finally, the campaign will create a video showcase featuring clips of patient advocates, carers, healthcare stakeholders, speakers, panelists, and participants at the WPA 2nd World Patients Conference expressing their gratitude and appreciation for nurses. This video will serve as a powerful tribute to the hard work and dedication of nurses in the healthcare sector.

We invite you to join us in this crucial campaign to celebrate and support nurses. By promoting and participating in the “Heart of Healthcare: Celebrating Our Nurses" activities, you will be part of a movement to recognize the invaluable contributions of nurses, raise awareness of their challenges, and advocate for better working conditions.

Together, we can, and we will, make a significant impact on the future of nursing and healthcare.