Nursing in a culture of peace

Background: The knowledge and practice in the field of peacebuilding is congruent with nursing and offers important dimensions and insight that can strengthen the work of nurses in building healthy communities and individuals.

Purpose: This article summarizes key literature and discussions with faculty in each field to outline impactful opportunities for interprofessional collaboration around peace and health.

Methods: An iterative process of reviewing theory and practice in each field produces a structured comparison of major commonalities and differences.

Discussion: Collaboration between nurses and peacebuilding practitioners provides a unique opportunity to address the wicked problems of direct and indirect (structural) violence. Shared interests in a holistic systems lens approach to violence prevention and conflict transformation provide for professional synergies.

Conclusion: An exemplary case for collaboration between nurses and peacebuilding practitioners is found in the work of understanding and addressing direct and indirect violence locally and globally.