The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated April 7 as World Health Day.
This year the international organization has focused on nurses and midwives who play a critical role in keeping the world healthy.
Globally, healthcare professionals have faced a tough year with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The crisis has helped to shine a light on the growing need to support a critical component of the healthcare industry. There are just under 28 million nurses worldwide. This leaves a global shortfall of 5.9 million nurses, with the greatest need in Africa, South East Asia, and parts of Latin America.
“Nurses are the backbone of any health system. Today, many nurses find themselves on the frontline in the battle against Covid-19,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General. ‘This report is a stark reminder of the unique role they play, and a wakeup call to ensure they get the support they need to keep the world healthy.”
In the US, Registered Nursing (RN) is among the top occupations for projected job growth through 2026. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the workforce is projected to grow from 2.9 million in 2016 to 3.4 million in 2026.
However, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) indicates a large number of experienced RNs, nearly one million, are projected to retire by 2030.
A 2017 report in the Journal of Nursing Regulation highlighted research conducted by Dr. Peter Buerhaus and colleagues. The report, “Four Challenges Facing the Nursing Workforce in the United States” said that the RN shortage will be most intense in the South and West.
Currently, nurses are in demand on the front lines of the COVID-19 battle in Tennessee. Governor Bill Lee is calling on healthcare workers across the state who may have been furloughed to register on the state site and assist with the coronavirus efforts across the state.