The American Nurses Association (2025) released the latest version of the Code of Ethics For Nurses in January of last year. A new provision has been added focusing on global nursing including 1) global nursing community, 2) global nursing practice, 3) a nursing vision for global health, 4) global health solidarity, and 5) global nursing health diplomacy.
Who is the global nursing community? It is all of us, including the International Council of Nurses and the World Health Organization.
What does global nursing practice look like? It starts with a sustainable nursing workforce. This practice is embedded in cultural appreciation, cultural humility, and cultural competence showcasing respect for “the patient’s way of being in the world” (p. 43).
What is the nursing vision for global health? Nurses promote a healthy global society that is sustainable through policy, programs, research, and diplomacy. A health global society includes the people as well as the environment and thus, the social determinants of health cannot be overlooked. Nursing efforts can target the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (n.d.) which include:
Goals Objective
Goal -1 No Poverty
Goal -2 Zero Hunger
Goal -3 Good Health and Well-being
Goal -4 Quality Education
Goal -5 Gender Equality
Goal -6 Clean Water and Sanitation
Goal -7 Affordable and Clean Energy
Goal -8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
Goal -9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Goal -10 Reduced Inequality
Goal -11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
Goal -12 Responsible Consumption and Production
Goal -13 Climate Action
Goal -14 Life Below Water
Goal -15 Life on Land
Goal -16 Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
Goal -17 Partnerships to achieve the Goal
What does global nursing solidarity mean? It means we work together with one voice, as one formidable force, to institute change. Nurses are ideally positioned as experts in the care of populations, promoting best practices and ethically informed care. It is only through this collective voice and efforts can we overcome some of the immense challenges negatively affecting universal health.
Where does global nursing health diplomacy fit into the picture of global health? Championing universal health requires nursing to bring the art and science of the profession to negotiations for global health, especially where policy and politics are concerned. The holistic lens of nursing provides a comprehensive look at health, strengthening the recognition of its value. “Local concerns are now global concern” (p. 46). We are all part of global health, regardless of where you live.
Every nurse, every member of the Florida Nurses Association, can grow in their global nurse leadership. The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (2025) provides direction through their competency framework which includes three lenses or perspectives (diversity and inclusion, systems thinking, and political savvy) and seven domains including 1) communication, 2) collaboration, 3) transformation and change, 4) governance, 5) evidence-based decision-making, 6) professional ethics, and 7) strategy in leading self and others. Visit their website for more information: https://www.sigmanursing.org/global-nursing-leadership-competency-framework.
References
American Nurses Association. (2025). Code of Ethics For Nurses. Author.
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. (2025). Global Nursing Leadership Competency Framework- What knowledge, skills, and abilities do nurses need for leadership at each stage in their careers? https://www.sigmanursing.org/global-nursing-leadership-competency-framework
United Nations. (n.d.). Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development – The 17 Goals. Retrieved April 18, 2025 from https://sdgs.un.org/goals
