UAE Launches National Programme to Train and Empower Emirati Nurses

United Arab Emirates has launched a new national initiative aimed at developing Emirati nursing professionals and strengthening the country’s healthcare emergency preparedness capabilities through advanced specialised training.

The “Emirati Nurses” programme was introduced by the UAE Readiness and Response Programme Jaheziya to coincide with International Nurses Day on May 12.

Officials described the initiative as the first national programme of its kind in the UAE dedicated to preparing Emirati nursing leaders through internationally accredited education, simulation-based learning and emergency response training.

The programme is being implemented in partnership with a range of healthcare, ambulance, police, civil defence and emergency response institutions across the country under a unified framework focused on rapid response and medical readiness.

International organisations participating in the initiative include the European Centre for Disaster Medicine, the American Nurses Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and the American Emergency Services Foundation.

Adel Al Shamri Al Ajmi, Chief Executive Officer of the Zayed Giving Initiative and President of the UAE Doctors Initiative, said the programme is designed to serve as a national accelerator for Emirati nurses by offering specialised institutional and community-based training, research opportunities and ongoing professional development.

He added that the initiative aims to strengthen clinical decision-making and critical thinking skills while supporting the long-term retention and qualification of Emirati healthcare professionals.

Fatima Al Hathithi said the programme responds to growing demand among Emirati nurses for a national platform that supports internationally recognised training and highlights the strategic role of nursing within modern healthcare systems.

Meanwhile, Emily Boren said the initiative has established the UAE’s first national nursing academy, offering accredited courses, virtual reality-based learning and simulation workshops focused on emergency response and disaster preparedness.

The academy has also introduced specialised nursing forums and live emergency exercises that contribute towards professional licensing requirements set by the UAE’s health authorities, including the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and the Dubai Health Authority.

The launch forms part of broader UAE efforts to strengthen frontline healthcare readiness and enhance the role of Emirati professionals in the country’s evolving medical and emergency response sectors.