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Future of Professional Nursing Development: Impact of the Institute of Medicine Report Strain Dead Grand Canyon university: MRS..-IV September 19, 2013 Report Future of nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health (2010) Is a report Issued by the Instituted of Medicine, which “calls on nurses to take a greater role in America’s increasingly complex health care system” (American Nurses Association [ANA], n. D. , Para. 1). It gives an in-depth look into the future of the profession, while addressing four key messages, the first three of which are directly related to the nursing practice, education, and leadership.
According to the report, “Many members of the profession lack the education and preparation necessary to adapt to new roles quickly In response to rapidly changing health care settings and an evolving health care system” (MOM, 2011, p. 25). This is alarming because nurses comprise a large portion of the system and are often those who provide most of the direct patient care. Education is addressed in one of the report’s key messages, which calls for increasing the number of baccalaureate level nurses to 80% by the year 2020 and doubling the number of doctorate degrees (Rosenberg & Prefer, 2012, . 8). New York State (NYSE) nursing leaders are lobbying for a bill that can lead this trend, requiring all nurses to receive a bachelor’s degree within ten years of licenser, which, according to Barbara Kittle, former executive secretary of the NYSE BON, can ultimately have a cascade effect on other states (Crowley, 2011). As the health care system changes, nurses are providing care outside of the traditional environment and must be able teahouse responsibility in a variety of settings. In anticipation of this even greater responsibility, the MOM recognizes the need for
Improved nursing education, which, with Its multiple points of entry, has been a topic of debate for years. As stated by the MOM, DAN programs continue to be the most common start (MOM, 2011). For example, out of every 8,000 new Runs licensed each year in NYSE, 5,000 are prepared at the DAN level (Crowley, 2011). This may be due to the shorter length of education, as well as its lower cost. In fact, cost may be a big factor for some nurses deciding to continue to achieve a BBS. However, new graduates do not have much choice but to find a way to fund their education further
Being aware of this issue, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has been asked to investigate it further, although, “In the end, the committee decided not to include detailed discussion of the costs of nursing education in this report” (MOM, 2011, p. 168). Nonetheless, some recommendations are made; one example is that health care organizations offer tuition reimbursement and stipends as an incentive (MOM, 2011). The need for financial assistance is recognized as one of the features needed “to expand baccalaureate and higher education programs” (MOM, 2011, p. 76). In eight of this, the report ascertains the need to reform and improve education, including the belief that “diploma programs should be phased out over the next 10 years” (MOM, 2011, p. 175). It is becoming undeniable that reaching at least a baccalaureate level is necessary, especially as more research studies highlight the link between higher education and better patient outcomes. Another key message addressed states, “Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education” (MOM, 2011, p. 85).
The suggestion is to “lift the constraints of outdated policies, including hose related to scope of practice” (MOM, 2011, p. 85). The MOM advocates for a national standardization of practice that will enable advanced practice nurses (DARN) to implement care they were trained and educated to provide, regardless of the location. As a result, Aprons will have the same responsibilities across state lines, which will facilitate their ability to meet the nation’s changing health care needs. Many more people have become insured because of the Affordable Care Act.
However, reimbursement issues are limiting the progress of Aprons to practice fully of heir educational background, thus limiting “American public access to the care they want,” which is “to receive care quickly from a competent person” (Hill, 2012, p. 5). Such barriers not only limit the publics access to care but also fragment the health care system further. This necessitates a creation of environment with a single goal in mind: patient-centered care, which can be achieved by optimizing Aprons’ role in primary care since “there are simply not enough physicians to care for an aging population” (MOM, 2011, p. 12). By expanding practice, Aprons can spend more time owing what they have been for years: patient education and coordination of care, thereby leading the system towards a collaborative approach advocated by the MOM. The above recommendations are associated with another key message: full partnership of nurses with other health professionals (MOM, 2011). According to the MOM, better patient outcomes can be achieved by working together “in a context of mutual respect and collaboration” (MOM, 2011, p. 223).
To contribute to this outcome, nurses need to acquire strong leadership skills through higher education and come more involved in issues such as those concerning health policy, thereby transforming to “thoughtful strategists” (MOM, 2011, p. 223). The report strives to empower nurses to lead “at every level and across all settings” (p. 225). When looking at the future of nursing based on Mom’s recommendations, it is optimistic but it is also “entirely dependent on the willingness of the profession to develop the role capacities and leadership essential to make a difference” (Porter-Grady, 2011, p. 34).