The Nursing Now Challenge announces major membership milestone
The Nursing Now Challenge, a programme of The Burdett Trust for Nursing, has exceeded its target of reaching 100,000 student and early-career nurses and midwives and now has 155,078 members from 115 countries. As Shirley Baines, Chief Executive of The Burdett Trust for Nursing, prepares to take her retirement, her legacy and impact on the world of nursing and midwifery will live on through this ambitious global network.
The Nursing Now Challenge was launched in 2021 with the aim of supporting health employers around the world to create leadership development opportunities for their student and early-career nurses and midwives. Over the last three years, this mandate has evolved and the Nursing Now Challenge has welcomed individuals, as well as organisations, becoming an invaluable space for student and early-career nurses and midwives to convene, share experiences and learn from one another. It has become a key feature and support system in the lives of thousands of student and early-career nurses and midwives globally, representing a vibrant, diverse, challenge-led community where student and early-career nurses and midwives are inspired and championed.
Since its inception, Shirley Baines, Chief Executive of The Burdett Trust for Nursing has been a staunch advocate of the Nursing Now Challenge, as well as the student and early-career nurses and midwives it supports.
“Over the last 20 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working on some amazing projects to support nurses both in the UK and internationally. The Nursing Now Challenge, a legacy of the global Nursing Now campaign, has been a real highlight and today, I’m thrilled to announce that there are now more than 155,000 student and early-career nurses and midwives who are members of this incredible global network. There really is nothing quite like the Nursing Now Challenge and it’s been my absolute pleasure to see it flourish.” Shirley Baines, Chief Executive, The Burdett Trust for Nursing.
Later this month, Shirley will take her retirement after more than 20 years as the Chief Executive of The Burdett Trust for Nursing.
“We are so grateful for the support that Shirley and The Burdett Trust for Nursing has shown us over the years. This significant increase in our membership marks a new chapter for the Nursing Now Challenge. We’re bigger and we’re about to be a lot bolder than ever before! Watch this space for some exciting advocacy work – driven by the incredible members of our Challengers’ Committee – around the State of the World’s Nursing report and the Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2021 – 2025.” Professor Aisha Holloway, Programme Director, Nursing Now Challenge.
Thanks to ongoing funding from The Burdett Trust for Nursing, membership to the Nursing Now Challenge is free and gives members access to:
- a vibrant community of student & early-career nurses & midwives, facilitating opportunities for global collaboration
- diverse resources to support members to thrive in their leadership development journey
- innovative training courses that will challenge members & allow them to grow both personally and professionally
- dynamic webinars including, Global Book Club sessions, Nursing Now Challenge Global Solutions Initiatives & Debates giving members a global platform to showcase their expertise & ensure that their voice is heard.
“Participating in the Nursing Now Challenge and being part of the Challengers’ Committee has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s been inspiring to work with passionate nurses from around the world, from the bedside to the political arena, in high-level events with the ultimate goal of promoting global health and patient well-being. Nothing I could have imagined a few years ago when I decided to enter nursing, and now making a difference has become the main goal and I know I can do it through nursing.” Andres De Juan, European Regional Hub Lead, Challengers’ Committee.
Over the coming years, the Nursing Now Challenge will support more student and early-career nurses and midwives to have their voices heard at every level – from grassroots clinical settings to policy decision-making tables, both nationally and globally. Investing in early-career nurses and midwives is essential for improving health and healthcare globally and the Nursing Now Challenge remains committed to supporting and empowering student and early-career nurses and midwives as leaders, and advocates in health. Furthermore, the Nursing Now Challenge will continue to showcase nursing and midwifery as exciting and rewarding careers in order to contribute to recruitment and retention on a global scale.
“The Nursing Now Challenge provides a safe space where the power of connection and collaboration is nurtured and everyone is championed. Our members are the driving force, the agents of change behind this programme and as we step into the next chapter we can’t wait to see the broader impact they will have on the world.” Dame Christine Beasley, Chair of the Nursing Now Challenge Advisory Board.
Learn more about the Nursing Now Challenge and join the network here.
Learn about the Challengers’ Committee here.
Hear from Professor Aisha Holloway here.
Listen to Challengers’ Committee Co-Chair, Amy Staley as she reacts to our membership update.
