The Future of Nursing in the United States Essay

Introduction

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) launched a powerful initiative in order to transform the nature of nursing in the United States. The challenges affecting the field of nursing encouraged the IOM to formulate new strategies for effective practice. The IOM “appointed a committee to formulate powerful strategies that can transform the future of nursing” (Tanner, 2010, p. 348). This essay identifies the issues surrounding the Future of Nursing Campaign for Action.

The IOM Report: The Future of Nursing

The purpose of the initiative was to transform nursing. The purpose of the IOM report was to improve the future of nursing. According to the committee, nurses should play a major role in the country’s health sector. That being the case, nurses should be empowered in order to offer quality medical care (Reinhard & Hassmiller, 2014). This practice has the potential to address the health needs of many patients. The committee identified four messages that can be used to empower more nurses in the country. To begin with, nurses “should be allowed to practice to the full extent of their education” (Tanner, 2010, p. 349). They “should also be full partners in the country’s health system” (Tanner, 2010, p. 349). A proper “workforce policy requires the best infrastructure and data” (Tanner, 2010, p. 349).

The Importance of the IOM’s Future of Nursing Report

The IOM’s Future of Nursing report offers useful recommendations that can improve America’s healthcare system. To begin with, the report encourages nurses to use their education effectively. They should also collaborate with different practitioners in order to redesign the nature of nursing. The idea of evidence-based practice will ensure more nurses achieve the best goals. More stakeholders, partners, and funders are required in order to improve the quality of nursing. Positive workplace practices such as teamwork can improve the nature of nursing. The report also supports the use of nurse-residency programs. Improved nursing education will encourage more practitioners to undertake new roles. The report encourages different “institutions to increase the number of nurses with baccalaureate degrees” (Reinhard & Hassmiller, 2014, p. 2). This issue of diversity can be critical towards improving the quality of medical care.

Learning should also be treated as a lifelong practice. This approach “will ensure more nurses acquire new competencies” (Reinhard & Hassmiller, 2014, p. 2). These individuals will be able to offer effective care. The report is also “relevant towards nursing workforce development” (Reinhard & Hassmiller, 2014, p. 2). The report offers useful guidelines that can improve the quality of nursing. Medical institutions and departments should encourage their nurses to embrace new changes (Tanner, 2010). Such changes will ensure more nurses improve their skills and competencies. Nurses should also form new partnerships with different physicians. New leadership positions will emerge in order to offer quality services.

Role of State-Based Action Coalitions

Many Action Coalitions (ACs) have been launched in different states across the United States. Such Action Coalitions are critical towards advancing the objectives of the above campaign. These ACs develop and implement the best health campaigns. Such goals are “usually within the framework of IOM’s recommendations” (Reinhard & Hassmiller, 2014, p. 4). These Action Coalitions collaborate with different stakeholders and groups. They identify the best practices and research needs in order to improve the quality of nursing. Such Action Coalitions mobilize different stakeholders in order to promote the best actions. Such Action Coalitions also empower different policymakers in order to get the best outcomes. They also reach out “to different funders in order to improve their actions” (Reinhard & Hassmiller, 2014, p. 6).

Two Initiatives Spearheaded by the Indiana Action Coalition (IAC)

The Indiana Action Coalition (IAC) focuses on the best practices in order to empower more nurses. The main goal is to improve the quality of healthcare services. The AC spearheads a number of initiatives in order to achieve most of IOM’s goals (Reinhard & Hassmiller, 2014). The first initiative is collaborating with many stakeholders from different backgrounds. This approach has created the best innovative solutions for effective nursing practice. The Indiana Action Coalition also works hard in order to attract more healthcare professionals (State Action Coalitions, 2015). This initiative is relevant towards dealing with the high rate of turnover.

How the Above Initiatives Advance the Nursing Profession

To begin with, the AC attracts and retains many nurses from different cultural backgrounds. This approach also improves the level of learning and teamwork. Such nurses have managed to achieve the best outcomes. These initiatives equip more nurses with new skills. The AC also mobilizes different stakeholders in order to empower more nurses. The mission of the IAC is to improve the nature of nursing practice in the state. The AC equips new nurses with adequate education. More nurses have “embraced the power of inter-professional education and patient safety” (State Action Coalitions, 2015).

Barriers to Advancement in Indiana

A number of barriers are currently affecting the success of the Indiana Action Coalition. To begin with, the state lacks adequate policies and planning. This situation makes it impossible for the AC to achieve most of its goals. The state has been recording a high rate of nurse turnover. The issue of diversity also affects the AC’s goals. The state’s population “has become more diverse” (Tanner, 2010, p. 351). This situation explains why new strategies are needed in order to offer the best health support (Reinhard & Hassmiller, 2014). The participation of different stakeholders has reduced significantly.

How Nurse Advocates (NAs) Can Overcome such Barriers

Nursing advocates in Indiana should “use the best strategies in order to overcome most of the barriers affecting nursing” (Tanner, 2010, p. 351). To begin with, planning is relevant in order to embrace the power of diversity. The state should attract more sponsors and funders. The Indiana Action Coalition should formulate new goals and objectives (State Action Coalitions, 2015). It should also collaborate with different stakeholders. This approach will support the needs of many nurses. The “nursing workforce should assume new leadership roles” (Tanner, 2010, p. 351). Healthcare professionals should embrace new concepts in order to support their patients.

Conclusion

Nurses should get advanced training in order to understand the major problems affecting their patients. This situation will create powerful workforces that can address the needs of many citizens. Nurses should always “engage in lifelong learning” (Tanner, 2010, p. 350). The AC should ensure every Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) embraces the best medical practices. The relevant parties should work together in order to improve the quality of nursing. In conclusion, nurses should play a major role towards transforming the country’s health system. Nurses should collaborate with different stakeholders in order to provide quality care.

Reference List

Reinhard, S., & Hassmiller, S. (2014). The Future of Nursing: Transforming Health Care. AARP Journal, 1(1), 1-12.

State Action Coalitions: Indiana. (2015). Web.

Tanner, C. (2010). Transforming Pre-licensure Nursing Education: Preparing the New Nurse to Meet Emerging Health Care Needs. Future of Nursing, 31(6), 347-353.