Nurses form a health care team that plays a central role in health care delivery. Thus, to improve the latter’s service, they “should practice to the full extent of their education and training” (IOM, 2010). The report reveals historical barriers, regulations, and policy as the main obstacles for the nursing profession’s continuous development and reaching maximum individual potential. For that reason, states should regularly update scope-of-practice regulations to keep pace with the profession’s development optimizing collaboration and supervision. Moreover, the report encourages higher dissemination of nursing roles in different health care settings such as care coordinators or primary care providers. It also asks to address inefficiencies in hospital designs/technology infrastructure to ensure nurses’ efficient employment.
The second message makes clear the importance of seamless academic progression for nurses (life-long learning). The latter should achieve the highest level of education possible with the help of an improved education system. Such challenges as a faculty shortage or lack of incentives to pursue advanced education do not secure a well-educated nurse workforce (IOM, 2010). This recommendation is significant because it encourages teaching nurses to cooperate with physicians and other staff.
The third recommendation wants nurses to become full partners of other medical staff in redesigning healthcare in the US. Nurses’ reconceptualized roles should ensure their greater leadership in shaping health policies, planning improvements, influencing the decision-making process, and identifying current inefficiencies. The ultimate message encourages the continuous altering of information infrastructure and data collection for effective policymaking and workforce planning (IOM, 2010). Reliable and granular data is required for better health care management to balance various healthcare professionals’ skills and contributions. In general, the IOM report and recommendations are significant because it aims to increase nurses’ role in improving regulations, policies, education, and cooperation with others within the health care settings. It leads to more optimal, patient-oriented, and safe care provided by nurses than ever before.
The IOM insisted on advanced nursing education, including research, leadership skills, and evidence-based practice to balance nurses’ skills and knowledge with their growing role. More than ten years have passed since this landmark report; thus, its influence can be estimated. According to Thew (2019), the number of BSN-prepared nurses has significantly increased and will likely reach the recommended 80% of nurses by 2029. Some states are closer to the goal than others; for instance, Hawaii is at 72% (Thew, 2019). The number of active RNs with doctoral degrees doubled since 2010, following the plan. In terms of leadership, more nurses started to serve on health-related and corporate boards, commissions, and panels with the Nurses on Board Coalition’s help. BSN-prepared nurses enjoy such opportunities as improving the skills and knowledge that lead to broader nursing practice and a higher overall care level.
The percentage of people aged 65 and older continues to increase due to the aging of baby boomers bringing opportunities and challenges for the health care system. Moreover, today people enjoy higher life expectancy than ever before. Also, the aging population becomes more racially and ethnically diverse. This population demands more well-educated nurses than ever before to address their specific health care needs. The demand for nurses is expected to increase by 16% from 2014 to 2024 (BLS, 2019). Therefore, health care settings need more well-trained and educated nurses to assist aging adults in coping with chronic illnesses and diseases.
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