As health systems face historic levels of nurse burnout, workforce shortages, and increasing demand, the global nursing community must act decisively. This Policy Café will bring together leading voices behind the most influential global reports in nursing workforce research—the President’s Report, the International Report (IND 2025), the upcoming State of the World’s Nursing Report, and the GCNMS Preliminary Findings—to reflect on what these findings mean for national-level nursing investments and reforms.
Participants will hear from authors and experts involved in generating evidence-based recommendations for strengthening the nursing profession. This session provides a unique opportunity to compare insights across datasets and regions, engage in meaningful dialogue about urgent nursing policy issues, and brainstorm practical strategies for supporting and retaining nurses locally. From burnout and unsafe working conditions to workforce migration and pay inequities, this session is an essential stop for decision-makers, advocates, and educators aiming to drive change.

Start your day with a look into the future of ICN’s flagship projects. In these short, engaging sessions, project leads will share what’s coming next—including new goals, upcoming activities, and ways to stay involved. You’ll have a chance to ask questions, meet the people behind the work, and hear how these initiatives are evolving to meet the needs of nurses and health systems worldwide. Drop by the ICN Booth each morning to stay informed, get inspired, and explore how you can be part of what’s next.

Students and early career nurses are a powerful force for transformative change. As innovative thinkers, passionate advocates, and frontline practitioners, they are uniquely positioned to meet the needs and promote the wellbeing of the world’s population and the current and future nursing profession.
This policy cafe will highlight the unique perspective of student and early career nurses on a number of pressing issues in global health and nursing policy. This session brings together Representatives of the inaugural ICN Alliance of Student and Early Career Nurses (SECN Alliance) for an interactive discussion that explores how emerging nurses are contributing to strategies to address interest and retention in the nursing profession; climate change and planetary health; ethical migration and global workforce mobility; and digital health, including AI.
If you’re a student or early career nurses, this session will empower you to innovate, advocate for and implement strategies to address pressing issues in global health and nursing. For nurse leaders, this session will offer invaluable insights on how to harness the passion and innovation of emerging nurses to drive impactful policy change.