Background: The adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 established a comprehensive global agenda to improve health, reduce inequalities, protect the environment, and promote sustainable development by 2030. Although SDG 3 explicitly focuses on health and well-being, the interconnected nature of the 17 SDGs highlights the essential contribution of healthcare professionals across all sectors. As the largest and most trusted healthcare workforce globally, nurses are uniquely positioned to influence health promotion, disease prevention, policy development, community engagement, environmental sustainability, and universal health coverage. Nursing leadership has evolved beyond bedside care to encompass education, research, advocacy, innovation, and health system strengthening, making nurses indispensable partners in achieving the SDGs.
Objective: This review aims to critically examine the role of nursing leadership in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals by exploring contributions in clinical practice, education, research, policy advocacy, digital health, environmental sustainability, and global partnerships. The review also identifies current challenges and future opportunities for strengthening nursing leadership in achieving the 2030 Agenda.
Methods: A narrative review approach was adopted by synthesizing evidence from international literature published between 2020 and 2026. Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and official publications from the World Health Organization (WHO), International Council of Nurses (ICN), and United Nations (UN) were searched using relevant keywords related to nursing leadership and Sustainable Development Goals. Articles focusing on nursing leadership, healthcare policy, education, public health, sustainability, and evidence-based practice were reviewed and critically analysed to identify emerging themes.
Results: The review demonstrates that nursing leadership contributes substantially to multiple SDGs through patient-centred care, health promotion, disease prevention, maternal and child health, community-based interventions, disaster preparedness, digital health innovations, environmental stewardship, and health policy advocacy. Nurse leaders play a significant role in strengthening healthcare systems by promoting evidence-based practice, competency-based education, interdisciplinary collaboration, workforce development, and quality improvement initiatives. The integration of artificial intelligence, telehealth, simulation-based education, and digital technologies further enhances nursing capacity to deliver equitable and sustainable healthcare. Despite these achievements, persistent challenges including workforce shortages, leadership gaps, inadequate policy representation, limited research funding, and unequal access to education continue to hinder the profession's full contribution to global sustainable development.
Conclusion: Nursing leadership is fundamental to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and building resilient, equitable, and sustainable healthcare systems. Strengthening leadership competencies, investing in nursing education and research, expanding policy participation, and fostering global collaboration are essential strategies for maximizing nursing's contribution to the 2030 Agenda. Governments, educational institutions, professional organizations, and healthcare systems must recognize and empower nurses as strategic leaders capable of driving transformative change toward sustainable global health
Nursing Leadership; Sustainable Development Goals; Global Health; Nursing Education; Health Equity; Evidence-Based Practice; Public Health; Policy Advocacy.
Background: The adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 established a comprehensive global agenda to improve health, reduce inequalities, protect the environment, and promote sustainable development by 2030. Although SDG 3 explicitly focuses on health and well-being, the interconnected nature of the 17 SDGs highlights the essential contribution of healthcare professionals across all sectors. As the largest and most trusted healthcare workforce globally, nurses are uniquely positioned to influence health promotion, disease prevention, policy development, community engagement, environmental sustainability, and universal health coverage. Nursing leadership has evolved beyond bedside care to encompass education, research, advocacy, innovation, and health system strengthening, making nurses indispensable partners in achieving the SDGs.
Objective: This review aims to critically examine the role of nursing leadership in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals by exploring contributions in clinical practice, education, research, policy advocacy, digital health, environmental sustainability, and global partnerships. The review also identifies current challenges and future opportunities for strengthening nursing leadership in achieving the 2030 Agenda.
Methods: A narrative review approach was adopted by synthesizing evidence from international literature published between 2020 and 2026. Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and official publications from the World Health Organization (WHO), International Council of Nurses (ICN), and United Nations (UN) were searched using relevant keywords related to nursing leadership and Sustainable Development Goals. Articles focusing on nursing leadership, healthcare policy, education, public health, sustainability, and evidence-based practice were reviewed and critically analysed to identify emerging themes.
Results: The review demonstrates that nursing leadership contributes substantially to multiple SDGs through patient-centred care, health promotion, disease prevention, maternal and child health, community-based interventions, disaster preparedness, digital health innovations, environmental stewardship, and health policy advocacy. Nurse leaders play a significant role in strengthening healthcare systems by promoting evidence-based practice, competency-based education, interdisciplinary collaboration, workforce development, and quality improvement initiatives. The integration of artificial intelligence, telehealth, simulation-based education, and digital technologies further enhances nursing capacity to deliver equitable and sustainable healthcare. Despite these achievements, persistent challenges including workforce shortages, leadership gaps, inadequate policy representation, limited research funding, and unequal access to education continue to hinder the profession's full contribution to global sustainable development.
Conclusion: Nursing leadership is fundamental to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and building resilient, equitable, and sustainable healthcare systems. Strengthening leadership competencies, investing in nursing education and research, expanding policy participation, and fostering global collaboration are essential strategies for maximizing nursing's contribution to the 2030 Agenda. Governments, educational institutions, professional organizations, and healthcare systems must recognize and empower nurses as strategic leaders capable of driving transformative change toward sustainable global health
Nursing Leadership; Sustainable Development Goals; Global Health; Nursing Education; Health Equity; Evidence-Based Practice; Public Health; Policy Advocacy.