Applications are now closed for the Global Nursing Leadership Institute 2024 Programme!

The Global Nursing Leadership Institute (GNLI™) builds on the International Council of Nurses’ (ICN) impressive legacy of working with senior nurses from around the world to increase their leadership understanding and expertise. GNLI 2024 focuses on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, health disparities and gender equity, universal health care, and the WHO Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery, 2021-2025 (GSDNM). The programme primes scholars to participate in local, regional, national and global policy discussions and actions. Regional and global networks are developed and used in regional projects, developed by the scholars, which align with the WHO region’s priorities.

Nurses from around the world will be selected as GNLI 2024 scholars through a competitive process. Successful applicants from high and middle-income countries will be expected to find their own source of funding to attend, while bursaries may be available for those from low- and lower-middle-income countries (as per the World Bank classification). All applicants will be required to demonstrate support from their employer, national nursing association or other professional organisation, and professional network.

Working with internationally respected facilitators and speakers, and with access to online policy resources and tailor-made materials, GNLI scholars will enjoy opportunities to network with ICN and other global and regional health institutions and leaders. They will develop their competence in strategically influencing policy and enhance their capacity to work for better health outcomes.

Watch our GNLI 2023 scholar interviews!

Who should apply?

Nurse and midwife leaders working:

• in government and public service (head nurse)
• in national nursing regulatory bodies (registrar)
• in major international, national or regional health organizations, including health service providers and non-governmental organizations (general director, director of nursing, department or program head)
• as senior nurse practitioners (leading the development of advanced practices)
• in professional nursing associations (president, deputy president, general director)
• in unions with a significant number of nurses (president, deputy president, general director, head of the nursing department)
• in education, training, research and development (dean, senior professor, director of research department or major program)

* Consult the classification of your country of residence according to the World Bank here

* Consult ICN National Nurses Association members' list here

The fees cover all tuition; programme learning materials; use of and access to the online educational platform; full accommodation and meals for the residential Module in Geneva (25 October – 1 November 2024); transfers from/to Geneva airport on arrival and departure; two receptions and a site visit to the WHO headquarters.

Bursaries may be offered to applicants working, living and participating from a low- or lower-middle-income country as per the World Bank classification.

Programme Outcomes

Over a 12-month period, GNLI 2024 will help you to become more effective in bringing about policy changes that can improve the health and wellbeing of local communities, regions and nations. By completing the programme, you will be able to:

• shape, develop, support and drive evidence-based health and social policy,
• undertake stakeholder analyses and political environmental analyses to influence definition of problems, building of coalitions and framing of solutions,
• use political, strategic and advocacy skills to work effectively with policy stakeholders, including politicians and government officials, other health system leaders, and international and nongovernmental organisations,
• review and frame the evidence base in local, national and international political, health and social care contexts,
• create and communicate clear policy messages that appeal to politicians, policy-makers, and the public,
• participate in a network of regional and global nurse leaders in policy.

Programme Overview

The GNLI encourages you to focus on your personal and professional development as a necessary foundation to becoming a more effective leader. You will set your own programme goals during Module 1, using templates and support documents; review and develop your competencies during Module 2; and create an individual development plan to work on during and beyond the programme.

Module 1 (18 June 2024)

Starts with a 2-hour all-scholar session to orient you to the programme. This session is followed by three 2-hour sessions of scholars in their WHO Region and includes a meeting with the WHO Regional Office’s lead for nursing and midwifery to learn about the region’s priorities. Subsequently, scholars in each region will develop and work on a policy-related regional project that aligns with the WHO regional priorities. The group will identify the project by the end of Module 1 and present the project plan to a diverse group of potential stakeholders at the end of Module 3 (November 2024 to June 2025). You will also have opportunities to meet with your regional group during Module 2 to continue to work on the project plan. This group project will provide you with a regional network of nurse colleagues to continue collaborations beyond the GNLI.

You will also be asked to identify and work on a real-life individual project connected to policy in some way to enable you to apply some of the lessons around strategies to be an effective leader in policy. This can be a project in which you are already engaged.

Module 1 is preparatory for Module 2. Scholars are expected to review relevant readings, peruse key websites, and view select videos prior to arriving in Geneva.

Module 2 (25 October – 1 November 2024)

Provides the intensive interactive learning experiences that constitute the core of GNLI and traditionally takes place at an ecumenical retreat centre near Geneva, Switzerland. Scholars are expected to arrive by 25 October to begin the in-person programme midday on 1 November 2024. Scholars are expected to be fully present for the entire week. The days begin at 08:00 and end after dinner at around 21:00.

This module includes discussions of the policy process and its political context; strategies for evidence-based policy change that promote population health; the role of nurses in leading local, national, regional and global health and social policy; and strategic communication skills for leaders including framing, messaging and use of media. It provides opportunities for in-depth explorations of the social determinants of health (SDOH), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), health disparities and gender equity, with reflections on their relevance to the work of ICN, WHO and the WHO Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (GSDNM). It includes a site visit to the WHO headquarters and meetings with global leaders. The module provides you with opportunities to reflect on effective strategies for policy change in your individual projects, your own country, your region and the world. You will also be able to continue your discussions of your regional projects. Scholars will engage in individual and group exercises, and participate in ongoing critical analyses and self- and group reflections.

The GNLI is a blended learning programme through which you engage with experts and colleagues using stimulating and supportive action-learning methods. It is not an academic lecture series, although it introduces concepts and theories where appropriate, and is rooted in evidence as well as experience. Distinguished speakers, including from the International Council of Nurses, the WHO and other relevant Geneva-based institutions will join in Module 2.

Assessment

Self-assessment

All GNLI scholars are asked to assess their policy leadership competencies at the beginning of the programme and set their own GNLI goals. You will review these competencies at the end of Module 1 and create your own individual development plan to work on during Module 2 and beyond.

Programme evaluation

You will be invited to participate in formative and summative evaluations of the modules and the overall programme.

GNLI Certification

Scholars are required to attend a minimum of 80% of all scheduled sessions to receive a certificate of completion of the programme and be a part of the GNLI Alumni Network.

Education credits

International Continuing Nursing Education Credits (ICNECS) have been granted.