Leading change together: Reflections from our International Nurses’ Day celebration
On 12th May, the Nursing Now Challenge brought together its global community to celebrate International Nurses’ Day with an inspiring programme of discussion, collaboration, and learning. Student and early-career nurses and midwives from around the world came together to celebrate the profession, strengthen connections, and explore how the next generation of nursing leaders can help shape the future of healthcare.
Click here to take a look at some of the key moments from the event.
Global voices in nursing leadership
Participants heard from an inspiring line-up of nursing and health leaders, who shared their experiences, insights, and visions for the future of the profession, including:
- Dr Sumaya AlBlooshi, Director of Nursing Department, Ministry of Health & Prevention, UAE
- Clare Cable, Chief Executive, The Burdett Trust for Nursing
- Annastacia Jordan, Chief Nursing Officer, Barbados
- Rebecca Kenny, Head of the RCN Foundation’s Centre for Compassionate Leadership in Nursing and Midwifery
- Dr Deepika Khakha, Nursing Advisor, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India
- Dr Carey McCarthy, Technical Officer, Health Workforce Department, World Health Organization
- Mtra Sandra Moya Sanchez, Director of Nursing & General Coordinator, Permanent Nursing Commission, Federal Health Secretariat, Mexico
- Professor Gemma Stacey, Programme Director, Nursing Now Challenge
- David Stewart, Director of Nursing Policy and Practice, International Council of Nurses
Throughout the day, speakers highlighted common priorities for the profession: strengthening the nursing workforce, creating meaningful leadership opportunities for students and early-career professionals, and ensuring nurses and midwives are represented where decisions about health systems and policy are made.
Global engagement and partner collaboration
Alongside the main programme, Nursing Now Challenge partners hosted a series of interactive virtual booths, giving participants the opportunity to connect directly with organisations working across nursing and global health.
These conversations enabled participants to discover new opportunities, exchange ideas, and build relationships across countries and disciplines – demonstrating the value of collaboration in driving positive change.
Reflecting on the event, Anu Thelly, Nurse Consultant at the Global Palliative Nursing Network, said:
“Being at the booth to explore professional identity reaffirmed that professional identity in palliative care nursing is not given. It has to be claimed, shaped, and protected every day. Through the Nursing Now Challenge International Nurses’ Day event, the Global Palliative Nursing Network created a space for nurses from around the world to reflect on their identities, deepen their expertise, and recognise their power.”
Shaping the future of nursing education
One of the highlights of the day was the Nursing Now Challenge’s first live virtual debate, which invited participants to explore a fundamental question for the future of nursing:
Should competency-based frameworks or reflective practice form the foundation of nursing professional development?
The debate was inspired by the recently published critical commentary Beyond Competence: Why Reflective Practice Should Underpin Nursing’s Next 50 Years (Stacey, 2026, Journal of Advanced Nursing) and encouraged participants to consider how best to prepare and support the nursing workforce to meet increasingly complex challenges.
Our Challengers’ Committee Regional Hub Leads expertly facilitated small-group discussions, creating an inclusive environment where participants could share perspectives, challenge assumptions, and learn from one another. The result was a rich and thought-provoking conversation about the future of nursing education and professional development.
The insights generated during the debate will inform a forthcoming Nursing Now Challenge position paper, ensuring that the voices and experiences of student and early-career nurses contribute to the wider conversation on the future of nursing education.
Looking ahead
Professor Gemma Stacey, Nursing Now Challenge Programme Director, announced an exciting new chapter for the Nursing Now Challenge. Thanks to funding from The Burdett Trust for Nursing, the Nursing Now Challenge will embark on a new collaboration with the World Health Organization to support the implementation of the recommendations set out in the 2025 State of the World’s Nursing report.
This next phase of work will create even greater opportunities for members of the Nursing Now Challenge community to develop their understanding of global health workforce data, connect evidence with lived experience, and strengthen their confidence to influence health policy and decision-making.
Reflecting on the importance of investing in the profession, Professor Stacey said:
“Sustained investment, meaningful leadership opportunities for students and early-career nurses and midwives, along with stronger representation in policy-making are all essential if health systems are to meet the challenges of the future.”
A celebration with purpose
International Nurses’ Day was more than a celebration, it was a powerful reminder of the collective influence of nurses and midwives in shaping healthier, more equitable health systems.
By bringing together participants from across the globe, the event demonstrated the strength of international collaboration and reaffirmed a shared commitment to supporting the next generation of nursing leaders.
“This event was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. It was incredibly inspiring to connect with colleagues and reflect on our shared dedication to patient care. The day left me feeling re-energised and proud of the impact we make every day on the wards, reminding me that while our daily tasks are clinical, our core purpose is deeply human.”
Obaa Yaa Dankyi, Nursing Now Challenge member and Registered Nurse, Ghana.
