Global strategic directions for strengthening nursing and midwifery 2016–2020

Theme 2. Optimizing policy development, effective leadership,
management and governance
Health systems are dynamic and are undergoing rapid changes globally. In the midst of these changes,
nursing and midwifery leaders act as positive change agents in creating effective and responsive health
systems as they engage in policy formulation across the different sectors, including education, workforce
management, data collection and management, and research. Consequently, leaders will be required
to plan and manage health services and education and regulatory systems, and to establish sound
governance structures.
Objective. To engage and have active participation of nursing and midwifery leaders at every level of
policy formulation, programme planning development and implementation, including evidence generation
for the purpose of informed decision-making.
Strategy. Prepare nursing and midwifery leaders to meet the challenges of dynamic health systems
by ensuring their competence in all aspects of nursing and midwifery development, including policy
development, management and evidence generation, in order to improve the quality of education and
nursing and midwifery service delivery.
Strategic interventions
Countries
In alignment with national health priorities and workforce plans:
• Advocate and set up mechanisms to raise the level of involvement of nurses and midwives in policyand
decision-making across the major sectors of service planning and management, education and
management of human resources.
• Engage professional associations of nurses and midwives in policy discussions and development.
• Obtain resources, and where necessary use regional support from WHO and competent national
bodies, to update or establish programmes for leadership preparation in all sectors of nursing and
midwifery responsibility.
• Advocate effective systems of professional regulation, and strengthen and support the legislative
authority to implement them.
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