Considering today’s forces, trends, and issues that influence curriculum development and the changing demands in healthcare delivery, discuss how you think the nursing curricula needs to change in order to prepare nurse graduates for their future role as practicing nurses. Cite two current references (published within the last five years) to support your discussion.
In recent years, the nursing profession has undergone significant changes due to various forces, trends, and issues within healthcare delivery. These changes have resulted in a need to reevaluate and modify nursing curricula to ensure that nurse graduates are adequately prepared for their future role as practicing nurses. This essay will discuss the necessary changes that should be made to nursing curricula in light of current forces, trends, and issues in healthcare delivery.
One of the major forces influencing curriculum development in nursing is the rapid advancement of technology in healthcare. The use of technology has now become integral to the delivery of quality nursing care. Nurses need to be proficient in utilizing electronic health records, telehealth, and various other technological devices and applications in their practice. Therefore, nursing curricula should incorporate training on the use of these technologies, ensuring that students develop the necessary skills to adapt and thrive in an increasingly digital healthcare environment (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2019).
Furthermore, the increasing complexity of healthcare delivery calls for nurses to possess a broader range of competencies. This includes skills related to critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and interprofessional collaboration. Nurses are now expected to take on greater responsibilities in the management of patient care and to participate actively in multidisciplinary teams. Therefore, nursing curricula should emphasize the development of these crucial competencies to prepare nurse graduates for their future roles (World Health Organization, 2020).
Another significant trend shaping nursing curricula is the growing emphasis on patient-centered care. Healthcare is shifting towards a model that places the patient at the center, taking into account their unique preferences, values, and needs. Nursing curricula need to reflect this shift by focusing on the development of communication skills, cultural competence, and empathy. These skills are vital for establishing effective therapeutic relationships with patients and understanding their individualized care requirements (Lown & Rodriguez, 2019).
The changing demographics and epidemiological trends in society also impact nursing curricula. An aging population and an increase in chronic diseases pose specific challenges for nurses. Consequently, nursing curricula should address the unique healthcare needs of older adults and individuals with chronic conditions. This may include specialized coursework in geriatrics and chronic disease management to ensure that nurse graduates have the requisite knowledge and skills to provide high-quality care to these populations (Dury, Saubi, & Somerville, 2018).
Moreover, the current issues surrounding healthcare disparities and social determinants of health necessitate a focus on equity and social justice in nursing curricula. Nurses play a crucial role in addressing health inequities and advocating for vulnerable populations. Therefore, nursing curricula should incorporate courses that explore social determinants of health, health policy, and strategies for promoting health equity. This will enable nurse graduates to develop a deeper understanding of the underlying social factors that influence health outcomes and equip them with the tools to advocate for positive change (Taylor, 2019).
To support the discussion on the necessary changes to nursing curricula, two current references will be cited. The first reference is the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) publication titled “The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice.” This publication outlines the core competencies that baccalaureate nursing graduates should possess to meet the evolving healthcare needs. It emphasizes the need for nurses to be proficient in various technological applications, engage in interprofessional collaboration, and provide patient-centered care (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2019).
The second reference is a study by Taylor (2019), titled “Social determinants of health, health equity, and nursing: A global overview.” This study highlights the need for nurses to be well-versed in social determinants of health and advocates for the integration of this topic into nursing curricula. It emphasizes that addressing health disparities requires nurses to have a comprehensive understanding of the social, economic, and environmental factors that impact health outcomes (Taylor, 2019).
In conclusion, nursing curricula need to adapt in response to various forces, trends, and issues in healthcare delivery. These include the rapid advancement of technology, the need for a broader range of competencies, the shift towards patient-centered care, changing demographics and epidemiological trends, and the promotion of equity and social justice. By incorporating these changes, nursing curricula can better prepare nurse graduates for their future roles as practicing nurses.