Advancing Nursing Education in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Lessons from Bangladesh for Sustainable Global Health

Global disparities in the nursing workforce threaten progress toward sustainable and equitable health systems. This paper presents three initiatives from Bangladesh—including the establishment of the National Institute of Advanced Nursing Education and Research, Chittagong Youngone Nursing College, and Shields Nursing Education Program—to illustrate how coordinated public, private, and international partnerships can strengthen nursing education in low- and middle-income countries. These efforts expanded educational capacity, advanced competency-based curricula, and enhanced faculty development, research, and leadership. Lessons from Bangladesh underscore the importance of embedding nursing within national health strategies, investing in faculty development, strengthening governance systems, integrating digital innovation, fostering responsible partnerships, and elevating the professional recognition of nurses. The Bangladesh case demonstrates that investing in nursing education is a strategic pathway to resilient, self-sustaining health systems and sustainable global health.