[Excerpt from publisher] These Strategic Directions for Strengthening Nursing and Midwifery Services provide an evidence-based framework for action that will be undertaken by WHO and its partners to support countries dedicated to improving the quality of nursing and midwifery services. There are four essential elements necessary to strengthen nursing and midwifery services. Each of these elements needs to be based on the best available evidence and requires advocacy, capacity building, research and development, and monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the key result areas are translated into action and impact practice. This document can also be used as a guide for action at the national level and to provide the basis for future policy dialogue at subnational levels.