NR 553 Week 6 Nursing and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Week 6: Nursing and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

The Role of Nurses in Policy Development

Arabi, Rafii, Cheraghi, and Ghiyasvandian (2014) emphasized that the health sector is undergoing rapid transformations, requiring the nursing profession to evolve accordingly. Nurses should not only execute existing health policies but also play an influential role in developing and shaping them. According to Burke (2016), nurses carry the responsibility of influencing healthcare delivery both in the present and for future generations. By participating in policy development, nurses can effectively advocate for enhanced healthcare systems and improved patient outcomes. Their involvement in policy formulation enables them to ensure that healthcare delivery remains patient-centered, equitable, and evidence-based.

Global Health Council (GHC) and Its Contributions

The Global Health Council (GHC), founded in 1972, is a prominent international non-governmental organization (NGO) that advocates for global health priorities. Its mission centers on strengthening health and well-being worldwide by connecting stakeholders, policymakers, and advocates to address urgent global health issues (Global Health Council, n.d.). With representation from over 150 countries, GHC serves as a collaborative platform that unites diverse voices from research, healthcare delivery, and program evaluation sectors. Through its initiatives, GHC promotes dialogue and action to improve global health outcomes and facilitate equitable access to care.

Nurses’ Role in GHC

Nurses have a critical role in advancing global health advocacy through the GHC. Their unique position at the frontline of patient care allows them to identify emerging health concerns and contribute directly to policy advocacy and implementation. Nurses can raise awareness, promote evidence-based interventions, and engage in advocacy efforts that shape global health agendas. Furthermore, by implementing sustainable interventions, nurses contribute to improving population health, enhancing patient care, and reducing healthcare costs. Their active participation in collaborative leadership ensures the successful execution of health programs that align with global objectives.

Table 1
Nurses’ Contribution to Global Health through GHC

Professor Response to Post

Question: Nurses have a great role in promoting the mission of GHC. Please share your thoughts on how we can get nurses’ work recognized on the world stage.

Response to Professor

Dr. Fildes and classmates, nurses’ contributions to global health can be recognized globally through the development of sustainable academic and research infrastructures. Establishing global health nursing programs, fostering interdisciplinary research, and forming strategic partnerships with governments and NGOs are fundamental strategies (Gimbel, Kohler, Mitchell, & Emami, 2017).

Nurse scientists offer valuable frontline perspectives that can inspire innovative solutions to complex healthcare challenges. Publishing in peer-reviewed journals, presenting findings at international conferences, and engaging in multidisciplinary collaborations can amplify nurses’ visibility and impact. Political engagement in global policy-making enables nurses to contribute to healthcare reform at national and international levels. Representation in leadership positions within nonprofit organizations, health boards, and philanthropic foundations also plays a vital role in elevating their global recognition.

According to the Institute of Medicine (2011), sustainable partnerships among governments, private sectors, and civil organizations are essential for advancing equitable, patient-centered care. Through these collaborative efforts, nurses can achieve broader recognition for their contributions to global health advocacy and leadership.

Response to Peer Post

Gomez and Ruger (2015) observed that while governments strive to establish independent health policies, international organizations often influence these frameworks to achieve global health improvements. Frequently, these international perspectives are integrated into national health strategies.

Leslie, Faina, and classmates, meaningful participation from stakeholders is increasingly essential in shaping international health policies. Despite genuine intentions, many governments face barriers such as limited resources, competing priorities, and insufficient expertise, which hinder policy implementation. In such cases, NGOs transition from lobbying roles to oversight roles, ensuring that governments uphold their health policy commitments (Tortajada, 2016).

Given the complexity of global health challenges, no single sector—governmental, private, or nonprofit—can tackle them independently. Collaborative engagement among these entities is necessary to ensure comprehensive and effective solutions. NGOs bring valuable expertise in documenting on-ground realities, advocating for marginalized populations, and proposing evidence-based interventions. Their collaborative capacity strengthens policy implementation and contributes significantly to advancing global health initiatives.

References

Arabi, A., Rafii, F., Cheraghi, M. A., & Ghiyasvandian, S. (2014). Nurses’ policy influence: A concept analysis. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 19(3), 315.

Burke, S. (2016). Influence through policy: Nurses have a unique role. Reflections on Nursing Leadership. Retrieved from https://www.reflectionsonnursingleadership.org/commentary/morecommentary/Vol42_2_nurses-have-a-unique-role

Global Health Council. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from http://globalhealth.org/aboutus/mission-and-vision/

Gimbel, S., Kohler, P., Mitchell, P., & Emami, A. (2017). Creating academic structures to promote nursing’s role in global health policy. International Nursing Review, 64(1), 117–125. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12301

Institute of Medicine (US), Committee on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative on the Future of Nursing. (2011). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

NR 553 Week 6 Nursing and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Gomez, E. J., & Ruger, J. P. (2015). Global and domestic policy responses to healthcare: A comparative analysis. Health Policy and Planning, 30(3), 285–297. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czu013

Tortajada, C. (2016). Nongovernmental organizations and influence on global public policy. Asia & The Pacific Policy Studies, 3(2), 266–274. https://doi.org/10.1002/app5.134