The Future of Nursing (Essay Sample)

The Future of Nursing
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The Future of Nursing
Introduction
On October 5, 2010, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) published a report that focused, by 2020, to increase in the population of nurses having bachelor’s degree minimum accreditation from 50 to 80 percent (Aiken, 2011, p. 196). The report had various recommendations on improving the nursing sector in America. Institute of Medicine, in its report, outlined several challenges in its findings that it considers as barriers to provision of effective healthcare. IOM report outlined that the American population is highly diverse and rapidly changing prompting the necessity to meet the nursing-patient population ratio.
Among the key contents of the report are recommendations by IOM on the future of nursing education in America. The report recommended that nurses should adopt the culture of full implementation of what they acquire during their education and training. American nurses should be proficient in their duties through the pursuit of education up to higher levels of learning to promote perfection, consistency, and coherence in nursing care. Recommendations outline in the report advocate full collaborating among physicians and other health care professionals in redesigning the health sector. Similarly, the report outlines enhanced information base for nurses, efficient labor planning, and improved data collection.
Impacts of the IOM Report on Nursing Education
The second recommendation of the report emphasized the need to revolutionize nursing education sector by achieving higher levels of education and training for all professionals. Recommended reforms in education are imperative in providing consistent and coherent academic progression in nursing education. Over the past, American nursing sector underwent several reforms aimed at enhancing the value of education for professionals. Reforms in nursing education are imperative in improving competence among professionals. Most reforms in American nursing education had positive impacts on the minimum level of education required for professionals before accreditation. For instance, reforms in the nursing sector outlined provision for a minimum of as Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. IOM report recommended that at least 80 percent of nurses in every federal health care facility should have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Aiken, 2011). Reforms shifted the focus towards employing only nurses possessing Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The change of demand to Bachelor of Science in Nursing has prompted revision of curricula in the institutions of higher learning providing the course. Apparently, most nurses in America’s possess a minimum of Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
A key impact on nursing education resulting from the IOM report recommendations is high levels of competence. Nurses who satisfy the accreditation requirements are competent in their service provision. Training of nurses by qualified professionals is key factor that promotes competence among graduate nurses in America. In addition, serving nurses are encouraged to seek guidance from professionals to improve on their competence and abilities. Improvement among serving nurses enhances knowledge upgrade and ability to used contemporary technology in nursing practice. IOM report recommendations enhanced nursing professionalism by incorporating leadership, research based on evidence and teamwork in nursing education (IOM, 2010). An inclusive training makes the nurses innovative, creative, and resourceful in the provision of health care to patients.
Impact of the IOM Report on the Nurses’ Role as Leaders
IOM report recommendations advocate for reforms in nurses’ role as leaders in the sector. The recommendations have significant influence on nursing practice, especially primary care. Incorporating of leadership in nursing education improved accountability and professionalism in redesign campaign among the practicing nurses. IOM report also recommended the creation of a National Centre for Workforce Analysis Commission. The commission maintains authority to monitor employees in American healthcare sector to ascertain their level of professionalism (HRSA, 2014). Primary health care sector further underwent reforms. It enhanced professionalism among serving and new nurses during their practice. The recommendations outline that nurses form part in advisory boards membership. As members of advisory boards, nurses are responsible in making critical decisions in ...