Landmark three-year global campaign Nursing Now celebrates its first anniversary today.

Backed by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and World Health Organization (WHO), the campaign is aiming to lift the profile of nursing worldwide and improve health outcomes.

The campaign will run until the end of 2020, last month designated the ‘Year of the Nurse’, marking the 200th anniversary of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale’s birth.

Its broad goals include greater investment in nursing and midwifery, promoting innovative practice in nursing and ensuring more nurses secure leadership positions.

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), along with other leading national nursing organisations, signed on to support Nursing Now and an official launch will take place in Australia this year.

Australia’s contribution to the campaign will focus on driving greater access and equity in healthcare.

Nursing Now Patron Kate Middleton, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge, said the campaign had grown rapidly around the world in its first year.

“Nurses play a vital role in health teams all around the world and this campaign is doing an important job of raising their status and profile globally,” she said in a statement.

“The dedication and professionalism of nurses is awe-inspiring.”

Next year’s ‘Year of the Nurse’ offered an ideal opportunity to champion the work of nurses, the Duchess added.

“This is a fitting celebration of the 20 million nurses worldwide and we hope that more young people will be attracted into nursing careers to ensure that the principle that health is for everyone, everywhere, becomes a reality.”