Leveraging Momentum of 2020- Reflections from an International Conference.

Clune Mulvaney, Catherine; Carney, Marie; Kearns, Thomas

PURPOSE This Commentary illustrates how innovative clinical and research initiatives highlight the ingenuity and creativity of nursing and midwifery professions thus leveraging the momentum of 2020 which commenced with the Year of the Nurse and Midwife and the Nursing Now Challenge. BACKGROUND Speakers demonstrated through vision, creativity and policy generation how the world is now in a different place due to Covid-19 and how the global crisis will change and shape the future of healthcare delivery. EVALUATION Speakers were invited because of their reputation as international leaders in global health and population. Participants evaluated content and its relevance to research, education and practice in group discussions. KEY ISSUES The current global crisis determines that the capabilities and capacity of nurses and midwives will become more crucial than ever to the delivery of universal health coverage (UHC) and population health by 2030. CONCLUSIONS Global leaders and policy makers must seek the knowledge and skills they need to support their work during a global crisis. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Achieving population health and equitable access to health care is dependent on an adequate health workforce.