Strengthening Nursing Education and Practice in Iran: A Call for International Collaboration and Innovation
Abstract:
Nurses are the pillars of healthcare systems the world over, yet in Iran, numerous challenges continue to hinder the optimization of this vital sector. Despite a relatively young and growing workforce, Iran's ratio of nurses to population remains less than global standards, contributing to inequalities in rural health care access and urban services delivery. Limited opportunities for advanced education, high attrition, restricted access to international sources of knowledge, and infrastructural barriers to telehealth development cu mulatively undermine the development of the sector. These circumstances necessitate targeted investment in nursing education, research infrastructure, professional support networks, and rural service incentives. Iran's post-pandemic telehealth development provides opportunities, but sustained policy attention is neces sary to scale up these developments. Accreditation and students/staff exchange through international coop eration can also enhance Iran's nursing standards. Statistical comparisons of Iran and the world averages are highlighted in this letter, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic reforms to enhance nursing capacity, quality of education, and equitable healthcare provision. Empowering Iran's nursing workforce is not just a health imperative but a national development imperative, essential to drive universal health coverage and SDGs ahead.
