Abstract
<jats:p>The HEALTH-IQ Project represents a comprehensive, system-level initiative aimed at strengthening nursing for quality care in Greece through evidence-based tools, leadership development, and regulatory collaboration. Coordinated by the WHO Athens Office on Quality of Care and Patient Safety, in close partnership with the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Hellenic Regulatory Body of Nurses, the nursing component of the project responds to long-standing challenges affecting nursing practice, including fragmented mentorship structures, unsafe staffing conditions, and growing concerns related to nurses’ mental health and wellbeing. Key project deliverables include three nationally tailored guidance documents. First, a two-part mentorship package, a strategic toolkit for nurse managers and a practical manual for clinical instructors, establishes a structured, standardized approach to mentoring student and newly graduated nurses. These resources aim to bridge the gap between academic education and clinical practice, enhance patient safety, support professional development, and improve workforce retention. Second, a safe staffing guide introduces an evidence-informed Professional Judgement Framework, enabling nurse leaders to assess staffing adequacy, advocate for corrective actions, and align staffing decisions with patient safety and workforce wellbeing. Third, a practical guide on mental health and wellbeing provides actionable recommendations to address burnout, foster supportive work environments, and strengthen resilience among nurses. Beyond written deliverables, the project achieved a major milestone through the implementation of the first-ever WHO European Nurse Leadership Course, a five-day intensive program designed for directors of nursing services across Greece. The course focused on authentic leadership, values-based decision-making, and evidence- informed management, equipping participants with practical skills to lead quality improvement and workforce transformation. All deliverables have been formally transmitted to national authorities and are entering the dissemination and implementation phase. Collectively, the HEALTH-IQ Project demonstrates how integrated policy, leadership, and practice-oriented interventions can empower nurses, enhance care quality, and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable health system.</jats:p>