Little did I know nursing would become my guide to tour the world. What began in a small Nigerian community has taken me across four continents—Africa, Asia, Oceania, and North America. From Nigeria to China, New Zealand, and now Canada, each move opened new doors, tested my courage, and reshaped how I understand care, leadership, and legacy. Through it all, one truth continues to emerge—leading is powerful, but learning where you land is what transforms you.
Nigeria: Where it all began
My journey began with an opportunity to serve in resource-limited settings where compassion had to go further than technology could. Nursing in Nigeria demands creativity, resilience, and deep cultural empathy. I learned that care is not defined by what we have but by how we show up. That experience instilled in me a people-first approach to nursing—an anchor that has guided every step since.
China: A hard choice amid a global crisis
I had arrived in China on a fully funded PhD placement, eager to grow academically and culturally. But soon after, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. I was immersed in research as a global crisis unfolded. Amid the worsening uncertainty, I made a difficult decision: I paused my studies and volunteered to support China’s early public health response by leading on the frontlines with screenings, outreach, and communication between care teams and stranded visitors. This chapter taught me a new kind of leadership, one that doesn’t wear a title. Sometimes leadership looks like sacrifice.
New Zealand: Birthplace of professional nursing regulation
New Zealand offered me something I hadn’t yet experienced—a health system where nurses were deeply supported by structure, culture, and policy. I had the opportunity to care for Māori and Pacific populations in an environment that prioritized cultural safety and equity. Working in the birthplace of the world’s first registered nurse gave me profound insight into how history shapes practice. I saw how empowered nurses deliver better care—and how systems that respect the profession help nurses thrive.
Canada: Local practice, global perspective
In Canada, I work in a multicultural healthcare system that continues to refine my lens. The opportunity to serve in diverse clinical teams has deepened my cultural humility and sharpened my global understanding of health equity. Beyond clinical practice, I stay active in professional organizations and collaborate with fellow scholar-practitioners around the world. Through the Femi Olutoye Foundation, I help coordinate free medical outreaches and health education in underserved, resource-limited African communities. We deliver screenings, medications, and person-centered care to places that might otherwise be forgotten. This blend of local practice and global service reminds me that nursing leadership is not limited by geography. It lives wherever purpose meets impact.
Lessons from a global journey
Each continent contributed something that shaped me:
- Nigeria taught me to lead with purpose.
- China taught me to lead with courage.
- New Zealand taught me the power of systems that honor nurses.
- Canada taught me how to integrate it all and expand my capacity.
These were not just career moves. They were moments of reckoning, resilience, and renewal.
Why global health advocacy matters
To be a global nurse is to recognize that care must transcend borders. It’s an acknowledgment that dignity, safety, and access to care are not privileges; they are rights. Global health advocacy isn't just about policy; it's about people. Nurses who witness inequity up close are uniquely positioned to lead this work. We hold hands in hospital rooms and raise our voices in boardrooms. We bridge gaps.
To my fellow Sigma members
You don’t need to cross oceans to make a global impact. Whether you're volunteering in your hometown, mentoring a new nurse, or stepping into a new system—your leadership matters. Say yes to new opportunities. Say yes to the discomfort of learning. Say yes to becoming the nurse the world needs.
I have learned that leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. It’s showing up with humility, vision, and heart. So, wherever nursing takes you, lead boldly, and always learn where you land.
That’s how we build a legacy worth leaving.
Femi Olutoye, RN, CHPCN, CGNC, is a Certified Global Nurse Consultant and founder of Nursing Spectrum Consulting. He was recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal by the Government of Canada in recognition of his contributions to nursing and community service. He is a member of Sigma’s Xi Eta at-Large Chapter.