Nursing and patient outcomes: How can employers provide the right environment for nurses to deliver high quality care.

Nurses are in short supply the world over, just at a time when the need for health care is set to increase. This paper synthesises the evidence about the impact of nursing and the about working conditions that would enhance their ability to deliver high quality patient care. We argue the case for investing in nursing as a long term strategy to improve health. The consequences of not investing could have a devastating effect on the workforce and the patients they serve. What is needed now is the political will to implement change and secure global agreement on a strategy for change.