Transforming Advanced Nursing Practice: Embracing IOM Recommendations and Higher Education

Although advanced nursing practice is critical to providing quality services, this occupation is associated with numerous challenges. Consequently, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) developed recommendations to improve advanced nursing practice by advancing nursing education. Nevertheless, the transformation of advanced nursing requires changes in training, licensing, and certification systems.

Implementing IOM Recommendations

In 2011, the IOM published a report with recommendations for future nursing aimed at improving the quality of the healthcare system. According to it, expanding the use of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) as primary and transitional care providers is one of the most effective ways to improve healthcare services. Nevertheless, there is a need to address limitations that affect the advanced nursing practice today. In addition, introducing restrictions on reimbursement for Medicaid is suggested, as it would encourage more patients to seek APRN services, increasing medical access to the underserved population. The IOM suggests that nurses attain higher educational levels and receive additional training. At the same time, there should be resident programs for APRNs interested in advancing their skills and training. Moreover, there is a need to reevaluate the current nursing program to include the additional competencies and to introduce changes that have occurred over the years in care provision. The third recommendation of the IOM is the training of leaders, who would act as partners for physicians and other healthcare providers and be accounted for their contributions. Therefore, nursing training should include intense leadership skill development and collaborative work. Notably, the healthcare sector should make significant expenditures for infrastructure and resources to improve data collection and communication.

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