Review the IOM report, “The Future of Nursing: Leading Chan…
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health,” has had a significant influence on nursing practice, education, and workforce development. Additionally, the “Campaign for Action: State Action Coalition” website has played an integral role in advancing the goals set forth in the IOM report. This paper will explore the influence of the IOM report and state-based action coalitions on these areas of the nursing profession.
One of the key contributions of the IOM report is its emphasis on the importance of nursing practice in primary care. The report highlights the need for nurses to play a larger role in promoting health, preventing diseases, and managing chronic conditions. It recommends that nurses should be allowed to practice to the full extent of their education and training, which includes the ability to prescribe medications, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and provide various forms of care coordination.
This emphasis on expanding the scope of nursing practice has led to changes in state regulations, allowing advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to practice more autonomously. As a result, states have been enacting legislation to remove barriers to APRN practice and grant full practice authority. For example, in 2016, California passed legislation that granted nurse practitioners the ability to practice independently without physician oversight. This change has improved access to primary care in underserved areas and increased the availability of healthcare services to patients.
The IOM report also recognizes the need for a highly educated nursing workforce. It recommends that 80% of nurses hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) by 2020, and that all nurses should have a higher level of education and training. This recommendation has led to an increase in the number of nurses pursuing advanced degrees. Many nursing schools have implemented programs to facilitate the transition from an associate degree in nursing (ADN) to a BSN, such as online bridge programs and accelerated degree options. Additionally, healthcare organizations have started to require a BSN for entry-level nursing positions, further driving the demand for BSN-prepared nurses.
To support this increased emphasis on education, state-based action coalitions have played a crucial role. These coalitions bring together multiple stakeholders, including nursing organizations, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and policymakers. They collaborate to develop strategies and initiatives to increase the number of BSN-prepared nurses in their state. For example, the Texas Action Coalition has implemented partnerships between academic institutions and healthcare organizations to provide tuition assistance and other incentives to nurses pursuing BSN degrees. This collaborative approach has been successful in increasing the number of nurses with advanced degrees and has contributed to a more highly educated nursing workforce.
Furthermore, the IOM report emphasizes the need for a diverse and culturally competent nursing workforce. It recognizes the importance of nurses reflecting the diversity of the patient population they serve to provide culturally sensitive care. State-based action coalitions have addressed this issue by promoting diversity in nursing education and workforce development. They have implemented initiatives to recruit and retain individuals from underrepresented minority groups into nursing programs and provide cultural competency training for nurses. For instance, the New York Action Coalition has developed programs to increase diversity in nursing schools, such as scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. These efforts have resulted in a more diverse nursing workforce, better equipped to meet the needs of diverse patient populations.
In conclusion, the IOM report and state-based action coalitions have had a considerable influence on nursing practice, education, and workforce development. They have elevated the role of nurses in primary care, expanded the scope of nursing practice, increased the number of BSN-prepared nurses, and promoted a diverse and culturally competent nursing workforce. These initiatives continue to advance the goals set forth in the IOM report, ultimately improving patient outcomes and transforming healthcare delivery.