Nurses are key to achieving universal health coverage. They make up half of the global health workforce and universal coverage cannot be achieved without strengthening nursing. The story of Gulnar, a family health nurse working in difficult terrain in Kyrgyzstan, illustrates the challenges of nursing including strengthening nursing, investing in nursing projects at all levels, including nurses in all projects, supporting nursing leadership, and tapping into the hidden potential of nursing. Nurses will play a leading role in creating sustainable health systems of the future that meet individual and population needs.