Who speaks for nursing? : COVID-19 highlighting gaps in leadership

In many areas of the world, the discipline and profession of nursing has been strengthened through the efforts of strong and effective leaders in education, research and clinical practice. The Seventy-second World Health Assembly designated 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife; not only to honour the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, but also to recognise the contributions of nurses and midwives to the health and well-being of the world's population. Recently, on World Health Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released the State of the World's Nursing 2020 report providing data on nursing globally (WHO, 2020). The report also provides a compelling case for development of the global nursing workforce, investment in nursing education, jobs and leadership. However, operationalising these recommendations will require investment and support at all levels of government and across all health jurisdictions.