The Future of Nursing “We keep moving forward, opening new things, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths” –Walt Disney (Smith, 2001). Nursing is a growing and constantly changing profession, making a bigger impact in healthcare with every turn. In fact, it was not so long ago that nursing was not even thought of as a profession and we have come a long way since the pioneer days of Florence Nightingale. Nursing is steadily evolving in terms of opportunities, educational requirements, professional recognition, and the advancement of nursing theories. These theories influence the environment, the patient, health, and overall nursing. Nursing theories will continue to evolve and guide as we continue to explore and learn new ways to improve overall nursing practice not only for the sake of the patients, but also for the future of nursing as a whole. However, when one looks to the future of nursing, they must also remember where it started; the basics of Florence Nightingale and that “Were there none who were discontented with what they have, the world would never reach anything better” (Nightingale, 1859). Person What does it mean to be a “patient” in future healthcare? To answer this question, the medical communities, including doctors, nurses, educators, and policymakers, all have to agree on the designation of a person/patient and what patient-centered care is. When all concede, then and only then, can patient-centered care (PCC) be mapped out for the future? Specifically, in regards to nursing and PCC, Cody and Parse believe that the Human Becoming principal is a guide to practice where nurses are “…with persons” as they enhance their own quality of life (Cody 1994 & Par... ... middle of paper ... ...ch like life in general, is full of uncertainty, as well as endless possibilities. As long as nursing continues to grow, there is no limit to the achievements that can be accomplished in the profession, for not only the individual patients, but also for the healthcare industry as a whole. Nurses must remember, that as they move forward, they will continue to break down barriers and stake their claim as a necessity in healthcare. Nurses must also hold tight to the teachings of their predecessors. The future of nursing holds great advances in healthcare and technology innovation; but, most importantly, the future of nursing needs to be saturated with nurses that are willing to put their heart and soul into healing the human spirit. The future of nursing must bring with it the teachings of the past, while providing their patients with the most qualified nursing care.
In the todays century, the responsibilities, roles, and opportunities for nursing and nurse education has grown abundantly to that of modern day nurses. Many nurses in the eighteen century were not educated nurses and never attended nursing school; however, they still provided care for the sick, poor, and needy and played a vital role in health maintenance. With the hard work from many notable nurses in history such as Florence Nightingale, Clara Barton, and Isabel Robb and the persistence and dedication for change from influential nurses such as Mary Mahoney and Mabel Staupers; nursing today has transformed in many aspects of practice. Although nursing as a profession is continuously evolving throughout the years, the core foundation of nursing hasn’t changed in that nursing is a profession of caring for others and servicing those in need.
The IOM report had four key messages needed for advancing the future of nursing. “Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and training; achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression; be full partners, with physicians and other health care professionals, …and; effective workforce planning and policy making require better data collection and an improved information infrastructure” (Institute of Medicine, 2011). The report also included eight recommendations needed to facilitate the necessary changes to in the nursing profession so meet to demands of the healthcare reform.
In the article “Time to learn: Understanding patient-centered care,” Rinchen Pelzang clarifies not only what patient-centered care means but what it looks like when implemented. These clarifications are necessary because although most healthcare setting advocate patient-centered care, with no clear definition. Pelzang mentions this as one of the most prominent barriers to PCC, the misinterpretation of the concept. In order to combat this barrier proper education and emphasis on communication are needed. When this isn’t the case, “the failure to recognize nurse-patient communication as an essential component of nursing care is the greatest barrier to effective communication” (Pelzang, 2010). Collaborative care and
Institute of Medicine (2010). The future of nursing: Leading change advancing health Retrieved from http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=12956&page+R1
This paper focuses on providing a summary of the efforts of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Committee Initiative on the Future of Nursing and the Institute of Medicine research which influenced the IOM report, “Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.” The importance of the IOM “Future of Nursing” report related to the nursing practice, nursing education and nursing workforce development will be stated. The role of state-based action coalitions and how they advance goals of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action will be described. A summary on will be provided of two (2) initiatives that are spearheaded by Florida state’s Action Coalition with an explanation of ways in which the initiatives advance the nursing profession. Existing barriers to advancement currently in Florida and ways in which nursing advocates may overcome these barriers will be discussed.
Heller, B. R. , Oros, M. T., & Durney-Crowley, J. (2000). The future of nursing education: 10 trends to watch. Nursing and Health Care Perspectives, 21(1), 9-13.
The future of nursing: Leading change advancing health [Report]. (2010). Retrieved from The Institute of Medicine: http://www.iom.edu/~/media/Files/Report%20Files/2010/The-Future-of-Nursing/Future%20of%20Nursing%202010%20Recommendations.pdf
The 2010 Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report- The Future of Nursing described the role that nurses have in the current and future US health care environment (IOM, 2011). This report was completed at a time when the Affordable Care Act had been passed and a new emphasis was being put on interdisciplinary healthcare teams, care coordination, value-based payment systems, and preventative care (IOM, 2011). Nursing is the largest profession in health care and with an aging baby boomer populace, the expanded role of nurses will be critical in meeting the growing healthcare burdens (Sisko et al., 2014).
The IOM reported the aim of future of nursing is to create improvement in the health of Americans through nursing profession, also to meet need of the different environmental health settings in which they will practice. It is important nurses get advanced education and training. IOM recommended “80 per cent of nurses to get BSN in nursing by the year 2020” (Institute of medicine, 2010). Doing this will enable those nurses to use their critical thinking skills and research to enhance quality of nursing care. The understanding is that nurses need to achieve advanced
Nursing theories and models are like the life line for the nursing profession; without theory, nursing will continue to depend on borrowed theories and principles that fail to capture the real meaning of the nursing profession. Theories guide practice making it more efficient and more effective, and the ultimate benefit of theory application in nursing is the improvement of patient care (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Nursing contributes ex...
It can be argued that the largest yet most neglected health care personnel is patient. It doesn’t matter if the care is a cutting edge or technology advanced if it doesn’t take the patients goals and views into account. The phrase ‘Patient Centered Care (PCC)’ is in vogue, but its meaning is poorly understood. PCC is providing care that is respectful of, and responsive to individual patient’s preference, needs and ensuring that patient’s values guide all clinical diagnosis.
Providing care today is much concentrated on “patient-centered” or “person centered,” or delivering care using a “client-centered approach”. In this discussion defines the history of the terms client-, patient-, and person-centered care and then focus on person-centered care, especially as it relates to nursing. In its landmark book Crossing the Quality Chasm (2001, p. 40), the Institute of Medicine (IOM) defined patient centered as “providing care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs, and values and ensuring that patient values guide all clinical decisions.” Thus, efforts to promote patient-centered care should consider patient-centeredness of patients (and their families), clinicians, and health systems.
The Institute of Medicine has released a report that discusses the future in nursing. The IOM has developed four key messages that outline the barriers that need to be overcome, so that nurses can work effectively and to their fullest ability.
Nursing is more than merely a job, an occupation, or a career; it is a vocation, a calling, a frame of mind and heart. As a nurse, one must value the general good of others over his own. He must devote of himself nobly to ensure the well-being of his patient. However, today’s well-recognized nurses are notably different from nurses of the recent past. Service is the core of the nursing profession, and the essential evolution of the vocation reflects the ever-changing needs of the diverse patient population that it serves. As a profession, nursing has evolved progressively, particularly in its modernization throughout the past two centuries with the influence of Florence Nightingale. The field of nursing continues to grow and diversify even today, as nurses receive greater medical credibility and repute, as its minority representations
Several years ago in 2008 the RWJF and the IOM collaborated for two years to discern the future needs of the nursing profession. Most importantly, the objective was to outline the critical actions needed to ensure nursing was ready to seamlessly move towards the future. This was no easy task as nurses work in such diverse settings such as outpatient areas, acute care settings, the community, and long term settings to name a few. Couple this with the fact that nurses have a variety of educational avenues such as the associates, diploma, or bachelor’s degree open to them to achieve the status of registered nurse (Institute of Medicine, 2010). All of this considered, the committee did design four key messages regarding the future of nursing as key in the transformation of health care as evidenced in their "Future of Nursing" report.