Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death and disability in women and men worldwide, with the burden of disease and its comorbidities observed in lower- and middle-income countries.1,2 Aware of the global patterns and trends in CVD and the power of prevention in modifying adverse health behaviors and CVD risk factors, the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association initiated the Global Cardiovascular Nursing Leadership Forum (GCNLF).3 A major impetus for this global initiative was recognition that nurses comprise the largest healthcare discipline managing risk factors and preventing risk for CVD.
In collaboration with colleagues from the American Heart Association's Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing and the European Society of Cardiology's Association of Cardiovascular Nurses and Allied Professions, the inaugural meeting of the GCNLF was convened in New York City in October 2014.4 Subsequent meetings were held in person in October 2016 in Barcelona, Spain, and in 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal.5,6 Because of the global public health pandemic, the October 2020 meeting of the GCNLF was virtual. Of note, participants at each of the meetings heralded from the 6 World Health Organization (WHO) regions.
Since its inception, the mission of the GCNLF has been to engage and mobilize an international community of nurses to promote prevention of CVD and stroke worldwide through research, education, policy, and advocacy. Major goals for the GCNLF, reaffirmed by participants at each meeting, are to (1) champion a global nursing movement for CVD and stroke prevention across the life span of all individuals and families, (2) empower nurses worldwide on the science and practice of health promotion and CVD and stroke prevention, and (3) empower nurses as leaders in CVD and stroke prevention.3-6 Consistent with the GCNLF's mission and goals, particularly noteworthy themes that emerged during biannual meetings included the strong commitment of nurses to global CVD prevention, the need for standardization of education and training in CVD prevention, the need for data demonstrating impact of nursing interventions on patient outcomes, the need to highlight and disseminate what nurses and nursing have accomplished in promoting CVD prevention and improving patient outcomes, and the importance of partnerships with key stakeholders including WHO, the World Heart Federation, and Ministries of Health.
Consistent with major goals as well as the themes that emerged from each meeting of the GCNLF, accomplishments of the GCNLF include the following:
Resources for nurses by nurses: Patient education materials focused on prevention of CVD and stroke intended to be adapted, translated, and used in accordance with national guidelines in locations where GCNLF members practice.
Guidance document, "Promoting Cardiovascular Nursing Globally": Designed to support cardiovascular nurses as we connect with physicians, government officials, and others highlighting the important role nurses play in prevention and management of CVD.
Information flyer: Available in English, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese, the document is designed for coalition members to share information with ease about the GCNLF, as well as its priorities and accomplishments.
Establishment of the GCNLF website (http://pcna.net/gcnlf/news-events): Designed to house patient education materials, the guidance document, information flyer, GCNLF success stories, and current and future events including webinars, as well as information on our partners.
Building on accomplishments to date and reaffirming the GCNLF's commitment to global CVD and stroke prevention, the October 2020 virtual meeting featured 2 keynote speakers and 3 presentations from cardiovascular nurse leaders. Monica Parry, Associate Professor, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, provided an informative and insightful keynote highlighting and emphasizing the global nursing imperative, a call to action for all cardiovascular nurses to champion CVD prevention and management efforts focused on practice, research, education/training, and advocacy. Erica Burton, Senior Advisor, Nursing and Health Policy, International Council of Nurses, provided a state-of-the-science presentation on CVD and COVID-19 with clear and actionable recommendations for CVD nurses and nursing on a global level. Heralding from different countries, 3 nursing leaders shared best practices and local applications in clinical, advocacy, and leadership initiatives, major areas of ongoing emphasis for the GCNLF. Samar Noureddine, Professor of Nursing, American University of Beirut, shared her innovation in clinical practice focused on improving out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a challenged country, Lebanon. Kevin Beharry Paray, President of Heart Health Mauritius, shared his work focused on best practices and local application of advocacy in action in Mauritius, a multiethnic island nation with a high population density as well as CVD risk. Finally, Lis Neubeck, Professor and Head of Cardiovascular Health, School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, and President of Association of Cardiovascular Nurses and Allied Professions, shared her leadership journey in cardiovascular nursing that includes and encompasses leadership roles in clinical practice, research, and advocacy. She also shared her insights regarding transformative leadership for cardiovascular nurses and nursing in the 21st century.
Consistent with the GCNLF goal of empowering nurses in the both the science and practice of CVD prevention and management, a major component of the 2020 virtual meeting focused on the Cardiovascular Nursing Certificate Program. The purpose of this program is to provide nurses with in-depth education that is designed to enhance knowledge and skills in cardiovascular care as well as support career advancement. The program consists of 12 modules with topics focused on the global burden of CVD and strategies for population health, pathophysiology of atherosclerotic CVD, cardiovascular assessment, cardiometabolic risk management, prevention and management of atherosclerotic CVD, prevention and management of atrial fibrillation and heart failure, cardiovascular pharmacology, communication and person-centered care for patients with CVD, lifestyle/behavior change counseling, translation and putting research into practice, and leadership and advocacy. Participants of the 2020 GCNLF enthusiastically embraced and supported this Cardiovascular Nursing Certificate Program and are in the process of developing plans for dissemination in their respective WHO countries/regions.
The Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association remains committed to supporting the mission and goals of the GCNLF and will continue to provide updates on progress and prospects for cardiovascular nurses and nursing in optimizing cardiovascular health promotion and risk reduction globally.
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