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How does the World Health Organization describe nursing's role in health care systems?
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Nursing
A nurse uses a sphygmomanometer to check a patient's blood pressure.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes nursing as the largest health care profession globally, with an estimated workforce of nearly 30 million individuals.1
The organization maintains a long-standing interest in promoting the role of nurses, specifically emphasizing their capacity to serve as independent, community-based providers of primary health care. This focus is particularly directed toward supporting health systems in underserved regions and developing nations. By advocating for these roles, the WHO highlights the essential contribution of nurses in expanding access to care and strengthening the delivery of health services within diverse community settings.21