Nurses Play Crucial Role in Enhancing Health System Resilience During Crises

During global health emergencies, nurses are at the forefront, providing nearly 80% of direct patient care worldwide. Their vital contributions significantly bolster the resilience of health systems, enabling countries to better respond to shocks and maintain essential services. However, despite their critical role, nurses are often underrepresented in leadership positions that shape resilience strategies and policy decisions.

A recent study conducted by the University of Michigan underscores the importance of strengthening health system resilience, which refers to the ability of health infrastructures to effectively manage emergencies without compromising population health. The research, published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances, highlights a notable gap: the limited inclusion of nurses in strategic planning and decision-making processes despite the evidence of their impact.

Lead researcher Katherine Kruger, a doctoral student at U-M School of Nursing, expressed surprise at the scarcity of literature addressing nurses' roles in resilience. She emphasized that there are substantial opportunities to better incorporate nurses into disaster preparedness and response frameworks. Barriers such as staffing shortages, inadequate training, and restrictive policies hinder nurses' involvement. Traditional hierarchies and gender-based power dynamics further restrict their participation in leadership and policy development.

Expanding nurses' roles at the system level can improve overall health outcomes, including reducing mortality rates and promoting equity in healthcare delivery. The research advocates for policy reforms to enhance nurse recruitment, retention, and leadership opportunities, aligning with the World Health Organization's call to empower nurses worldwide.

Kruger highlighted the importance of both top-down and bottom-up approaches, encouraging global organizations to amplify nursing voices while reminding nurses of their essential on-the-ground roles during emergencies. Co-authors of the study include prominent figures such as Sue Anne Bell, Jody Lori, and Petra Brysiewicz.

Overall, the study emphasizes that a resilient health system is built on the active engagement of its nursing workforce, with their contributions being key to improving population health outcomes and ensuring equitable healthcare services during crises.

For more details, see the full study: Katherine Kruger et al, "The role of the nursing workforce in health system resilience during disasters," International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnsa.2025.100361

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-crisis-nurses-health-resilience.html