Review the Institute of Medicine’s 2010 report “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.” Write a 750-1,000 word paper discussing the influence of the IOM report on nursing practice. Include the following:
- Summarize the four messages outlined in the IOM report and explain why these are significant to nursing practice.
- Discuss the direct influence the IOM report has on nursing education and nursing leadership. Describe the benefits and opportunities for BSN-prepared nurses.
- Explain why it is important that a nurse’s role and education evolve to meet the needs of an aging and increasingly diverse population.
- Discuss the significance of professional development, or lifelong learning, and its relevance in caring for diverse populations across the life span and within the health-illness continuum.
- Discuss how nurses can assist in effectively managing patient care within an evolving health care system.
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Introduction:
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report in 2010 titled “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.” The report highlighted the changing landscape of healthcare and the crucial role of nurses in its evolution. This essay aims to discuss the influence of the IOM report on nursing practice, including its four messages, its direct impact on nursing education and leadership, the importance of nurses’ evolving roles, and the significance of professional development in caring for diverse populations. Finally, this essay will discuss how nurses can effectively manage patient care within an evolving health care system.
The Four Messages Outlined in the IOM Report and Their Significance to Nursing Practice:
The IOM report outlined four messages. The first message highlights the need to remove scope-of-practice barriers that limit nurses’ ability to practice to the full extent of their education and training. This message is crucial as allowing nurses to practice to the full extent of their education and training can improve access to care, particularly in underserved areas.
The second message is to expand nurses’ education and training to improve patient care. Nurses must continually improve their knowledge and skills to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care. The IOM report recommended that at least 80% of registered nurses should have a bachelor’s degree by 2020.
The third message outlines the need to foster interprofessional collaboration to transform the healthcare system. Nurses must collaborate with other healthcare professionals to create a seamless, patient-centered system that provides quality care to all.
The fourth message focuses on leadership. Nurses must be prepared to take on leadership roles in all sectors of healthcare to drive change and improve patient outcomes.
Direct Influence of the IOM Report on Nursing Education and Leadership:
The IOM report has had a direct impact on nursing education and leadership. The report recommended that nurses should have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) to practice. This recommendation has motivated many nursing schools to offer more BSN programs and encourage registered nurses to go back to school to obtain a BSN. The report has also resulted in some nursing organizations requiring a BSN for leadership positions.
Benefits and Opportunities for BSN-Prepared Nurses:
BSN-prepared nurses have a broader understanding of the healthcare system and are better prepared to provide quality, patient-centered care. Studies have shown that BSN-prepared nurses have better patient outcomes, including decreased mortality rates, shorter hospital stays, and lower readmission rates.
Importance of Nurses’ Role and Education Evolving to Meet the Needs of an Aging and Increasingly Diverse Population:
The population in the United States is becoming more diverse, and people are living longer, which presents unique challenges for healthcare providers. Nurses must have the knowledge and skills to care for an increasingly diverse population and understand the specific health needs of older adults. Education must evolve to encompass cultural competence and the specific needs of diverse populations to provide quality care to all patients.
Significance of Professional Development in Caring for Diverse Populations:
Professional development plays a critical role in caring for diverse populations. Lifelong learning allows nurses to stay updated on healthcare changes, new research, and best practices for providing care to diverse populations. Professional development can help nurses develop cultural competence, which is essential in delivering patient-centered care to a diverse population.
Effective Management of Patient Care Within an Evolving Health Care System:
Nurses can effectively manage patient care within an evolving healthcare system by advocating for their patients and collaborating with other healthcare professionals. Nurses must have the knowledge and skills to navigate the complex healthcare system and ensure that their patients receive the best possible care. Nurses can also contribute to improving the healthcare system by participating in quality improvement initiatives and advocating for policy changes that improve patient outcomes.
Conclusion:
The IOM report has had a significant impact on nursing practice. It has highlighted the importance of nurses’ education and training, the need for interprofessional collaboration, and the importance of nurses’ leadership roles in healthcare. It has also emphasized the critical role of BSN-prepared nurses in providing quality, patient-centered care to an aging and diverse population. Professional development is crucial to ensuring that nurses have the knowledge and skills to address the changing healthcare landscape effectively. By advocating for their patients and collaborating with other healthcare professionals, nurses can effectively manage patient care within an evolving healthcare system.
