IOM Reflection

Reflection Paper
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) Future of Nursing report offered several good suggestions in nursing in 2010. One of the recommendations is to have 80 % of registered nurses (RN) possessed Bachelors of Science in nursing (BSN) by 2020. Currently, the author as an RN is enhancing personal education and participates in the plan to fulfill the goal. The BSN program aids one to receive further education in the treatment of the physical and social sciences, public and community health, nursing research, nursing management, and the humanities. Moreover, one also is equipped with competencies of critical thinking, communication, negotiation, leadership, management skills. According to McEwen, White, Pullis, & Krawtz (2013), BSN programs
can train nurses to work in highly complicated surroundings and community settings, as well as prepare them for graduate education. The specific program makes individuals capable of facing the currently changeable nursing labor force and meets the requirement of current work market. Furthermore, one with BSN degree also obtains the opportunity to play a leadership role and attend the policy making in the organization. As the result, one can be put in a significant position, such as the charge nurse and preceptor, to assist the development of the organization.
To attend the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program will be the author next plan in the future; however, it may not be achieved before 2020. Therefore, the writer may not fit into the recommendation to double the number of nurses with a doctorate by 2020. The BSN program provides good information about the difference between a DNP and a doctorate of philosophy (PhD) in nursing. In the future nursing marker, the author will become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)with a practice doctorate to serve the populations with better care, such as preventive care, wellness care, long-term chronic disease care. According to Harper, McGuinness, & Johnson (2016) "APRNs are able to blend a range of skills to address the social determinants of health within their practices including mental health/addiction recovery and acute and primary care needs throughout the life span" (pg. 51). The curricula of DNP facilitate the APRN to develop competencies and enhance clinical rigor for the future market.
Recommendation 6 of IOM report is to ensure that nurses engage in lifelong learning.
As the result, the author’s organization provides series courses for employees to enhance their knowledge, ability in clinical. The main purpose of lifelong learning is to assure nurses are capable and qualified to manage the changeable nursing clinical, and diverse patient populations that are recipients of nursing care. Personally, as a nurse, one holds every opportunity to study and absorb new knowledge and becomes the member of Association of California Nurse Leaders, which provide the newest regulations, innovative technology and knowledge as well as new diseases and preventive measures. Nurses are faced with an unknown future and individuals may encounter various barriers in the nursing field. In order to survive in the changing and unknown challenges, one as a nurse needs to receive the lifelong continuous education. Lifelong learning can make nurses competent to perform quality care for the current nursing market and prepare for the skills and knowledge to lead the future nursing
market.

References
Harper, D.
C., McGuinness, T. M., & Johnson, J. (2016). Clinical residency training: Is it essential to the Doctor of Nursing Practice for nurse practitioner preparation. Nursing Outlook, 65(1), 50-57. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/science/article/pii/S002965541630178.
McEwen, M., White, M. J., Pullis, B. R., & Krawtz, S. (2013). Essential Content in RN-BSN Programs. Journal of Professional Nursing, 30(4), 330-340. Retrieved from
http://www.sciencedirect.com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/science/article/pii/S875572231300166X.