IOM Report

In reading the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report on “Leading Change, Advancing Health”, it is evident that the nursing profession has contributed a great deal to the health of our nation. However, it is also apparent that there is much more that needs to be done. The nursing profession is ever changing and advancing. This is a profession with great versatility. As healthcare progresses, the need for higher educated nurses increases as well.
The debate about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) brings about issues in our healthcare system and how we will take on the 32 million additional patients not currently covered under some form of health insurance. The IOM report discusses current concerns about the shortage of primary health care professionals
Education is expensive and so reimbursement is a way that may influence nurses to further their education. Some hospitals and medical facilities offer tuition reimbursement, if that staff member promises to stay within the facility for a certain amount of time. However, some facilities do not offer this type of program. It is crucial to increase the amount of highly educated staff members and therefore it is necessary for companies, organizations, facilities and even state and local government to help compensate in this
Nurses with higher education levels will be better able to adjust to the quickly changing ways of nursing and adapt to new roles that may need to be adopted. Using Evidence Based practice is necessary for patients to receive the quality of care that they desire. Nurses educated at the baccalaureate level are better able to develop leadership skills along with critical thinking skills. These nurses have the ability to use research in nursing and put it into practice. These higher level skills are necessary and are not considered at the associate degree