In the consensus report of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity, 9 recommendations were offered to bring about changes throughout the country to improve the quality and equity of healthcare for all citizens. It is my opinion that all the recommendations would be of great benefit to the healthcare system. There are a few recommendations that I believe to be most effective because of their national impact, some of which I have experienced first-hand.
According to the report, the committee’s recommendations are a call for change at individual and system levels (The National Academies Press, 2021). The recommendations that execute change at both of those levels are first Recommendation 1, that all national nursing organizations should develop a shared agenda for addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) and achieving fair healthcare for all. This recommendation stands out because of the impact it has on several populations. The action item proposed is to analyze diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and remove any policies that do not align with DEI. Systematic racism, biases, discrimination, mistreatment are all targeted and discarded of with this recommendation. I have seen recommendations put to action in my organization. All staff were educated on the importance of DEI through online learning modules and breakout huddles. In addition, the organization offered free 15-minute DEI webinars to attend for those interested in learning more. As it relates, the organization now acknowledges more cultural and religious holidays/ traditions. For example, during Ramadan specialized menu items are provided at various locations within the hospital.
Recommendation 2, which suggests that the nursing workforce should be made able to address SDOH regardless of practice setting (The National Academies Press, 2021) also has action items that have potential to make significant impact on the healthcare system. Most notably, increasing the number of nurses practicing in specialized areas experiencing shortages, investing in nurses’ education statewide, prioritizing community-based learning, and supporting academic progression of students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Collectively, the impact of these actions would change entire communities. When the nation, or state invests in underserved communities by providing health care education to citizens, investing in the youth’s education, especially regarding healthcare, a shift will eventually occur, and more than the community will benefit from the progress.
Lastly, I believe that recommendation 3 is of immense importance. In short, the recommendation suggests that nursing education programs, leaders, employers, and organizations promote nurses’ health and well-being as they assume greater responsibility in advanced roles (The National Academies Press, 2021). As a bedside nurse during and following the COVID pandemic, I witnessed many nurses with tenures from a few years to decades leave the bedside from burnout. I listened to the concerns of my peers, as we battled running out of personal protective equipment, reusing n-95 masks for entire shifts and sometimes days. The toll that a nurse’s mental health takes on their body and consequently their care of patients is not to be underestimated. The steps suggested for recommendation 3 are all in favor of nurse wellness. The key steps that I identified that will make momentous improvements within healthcare organizations across the country are, ensure that nurses have sufficient resources, establishing a culture of safety within the workplace, and protection against retaliation.
As the report states, nurses will need to continue to be adaptable to the changes that come and respond to new health challenges at the individual and community levels. I agree that nurses will remain at the forefront of change within healthcare, and the responsibly of nurses will only increase with time. Although it has only been two years since the report was published, many of these action items are live today. I am certain that in the years to come we will see nurses in advanced roles continue to evolve and provide equitable care for patients of all communities.