Michelle Davis
Grand Canyon University
Professional Dynamics
NRS-430V
Kristine Roberts
August 23, 2013
Impact of the Institute of Medicine Report on Nursing
The 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the largest healthcare transformation since the development of the Medicare and Medicaid programs in 1965. One of the big issues is how the health care system will care for the additional 32 million people that will have access to health care under this legislation. The Nursing profession is the largest group of the nation’s healthcare workforce and can play a vital role in meeting the demands of our evolving healthcare system (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation [RWJF], 2011). In response to …show more content…
the obvious important role nursing plays in meeting these demands, The Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) embarked on a 2 year initiative to create a blueprint that will prepare nursing to meet these challenges. The IOM is a non-profit, independent organization that endeavors to provide unbiased, evidence-based advice and information to the public and decision makers concerning health care. In 2010 the IOM and the RWJF released the report “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health”. In order to prepare nurses to lead change and advance health for all Americans, the IOM has recommended several changes. Here I will discuss the IOM recommendations related to education, nursing practice, nursing leadership roles, and how I intend to change my practice to meet those goals.
Impact on Nursing Education One of the recommendations of the IOM (Institute of Medicine [IOM], 2010) report is to expand the number of baccalaureate prepared nurses (BSN) to 80% by the year 2020.
With the increased complexity of patients in the hospital setting, the need to care for patients in diverse situations particularly in the community and public health care settings, and the demand for nursing to step into more leadership roles, advancing education is critical in order to fulfill the health care requirements of the American public (Institute of Medicine [IOM], 2010). In addition, BSN prepared nurses are qualified to continue on to advanced practice positions which are needed to meet the increased demand for primary care. The IOM (2010) also recommends a change from a curriculum that is historically focused on preparing students for the acute care setting to one that also includes competencies in leadership, health policy, research and evidence based practice, team work, community and public health, and collaboration with other health care professionals to coordinate patient care. The IOM (2010) report recommends a doubling of doctorate prepared nurses by 2020 which will be needed to teach future generations and to prepare nurses to participate in research that can improve nursing practice. The importance and value of interprofessional education has also been stressed as it will increase respect and collaboration within the different disciplines which will foster safer, more effective care …show more content…
and create increased patient and clinician satisfaction (IOM, 2010). The IOM (2010) also recommends instituting nurse residency programs that will ease the transition of the new nurse into competent practice. Developing such a program will increase retention of new registered nurses and the quality of care they provide.
Impact on Nursing Practice The IOM (2010) report recognizes the current shortage of primary care providers in the United States and with an estimated 32 million Americans able to access healthcare under the ACA, this shortage will continue to grow. One of the major initiatives in the IOM (2010) report is the recommendation that all nurses practice to the full extent of their education, training, and competencies. Advanced practical registered nurses (APRN’s) have the skill and ability to assist in meeting the demands for increased care, however the restrictive scope of practice regulations that vary from state to state are a major barrier (IOM, 2010). Because of these barriers, many APRN’s are not able to provide the care they are trained and competent to give. The IOM (2010) reports calls for removal of these restrictions on APRN scope of practice. A consensus model created in 2008 by multiple accreditation, certification and licensing organizations established a standardized education, training and regulation document for APRN’s. Implementing this model had been incremental and full implementation is planned for 2015 and is intended to benefit APRN’s as well as enhancing quality of care (American Nurses Credentialing Center [ANCC], 2013). The consensus document should assist state regulators in establishing consistent practice standards across the country (IOM, 2010). The American Medical Association, American Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Association of Family Physicians have all issued statements that do not support expanded nurse scope of practice citing patient safety as the reason (IOM, 2010). “The contention that APRNs are less able than physicians to deliver care that is safe, effective, and efficient is not supported by research that has examined this question” (IOM, 2010, p. 111). There have been numerous examples such as the Prescription for Philadelphia that actually show improved outcomes and quality of care when broadening APRN’s scope of practice (IOM, 2010).
Impact on Nursing Leadership Roles The IOM (2010) states that “Nurses should be full partners, with physicians and other health professionals, in redesigning health care in the United States” ( p. 221). In order for nurses to achieve this goal, stepping into leadership roles will be critical for transformation of the healthcare system. Leadership roles will be required across all levels of nursing and is needed to improve quality of care, craft new policy, change curriculums, research and implement evidence based practice and advocate for patients. True leadership will empower others to come together to achieve common goals, promote healthy work environments, and improve patient outcomes (Sherman & Pross, 2010). There are a variety of effective leadership programs to assist nurses in becoming strong leaders. Some of these are The Integrated Nurse Leadership Program, Fellow Program in Management for Nurse Executives at Wharton, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellows Program, and Best on Board (IOM, 2010). Many nursing organizations also have leadership programs to support nurses in accepting and succeeding in leadership roles. Political decisions affect the entire healthcare environment. Every nurse needs an understanding of the political system that healthcare operates within. Acquiring leadership skills will allow nursing to advocate for quality patient care within the political environment.
Changing my Practice to Meet IOM Goals There are several ways that I can change my practice to support the goals of the IOM report. First, with many years of experience behind me, I have a wealth of knowledge that I can share by mentoring new registered nurses and providing the support they need to be successful in delivering high quality patient care. Secondly, I am advancing my education by obtaining my BSN degree and then plan to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and join the many APRN’s providing primary care. Third, I will integrate provided technology into my practice to improve patient safety, care coordination and outcomes. Fourth, I will maintain an understanding of current legislation and issues affecting my practice while becoming active in my community to advocate for changes that will support high quality, cost effective care.
Conclusion
The IOM report are researched base recommendations for the transformation of nursing to meet the evolving and challenging healthcare demands of the future.
In order to meet these demands, advances in the education level of the nursing work force as well as in nursing curriculum are needed. Changing outdated regulations and restrictions on nursing practice that will permit nurses to practice to the full extent of their training and education will be critical in meeting the shortage of primary care providers. Nursing leadership roles are also expanding and are important in working collaboratively with other health care professionals to deliver cost effective, high quality care. The window is now open for nurses to take active roles in the reformation of healthcare and the nursing
profession.
References
American Nurses Credentialing Center. (2013). APRN consensus model FAQs. Retrieved from http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Certification/APRNCorner.aspx?gclid=CLL3ptWmlbkCFed_QgodEywA4Q
Institute of Medicine. (2010). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. Retrieved from http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/The-future-of-nursing-leading-change-advancing-health.aspx
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2011). IOM’s future of nursing report: Big splash, lasting impact. Retrieved from http://www.rwjf.org/en/about-rwjf/newsroom/newsroom-content/2011/10/ioms-future-of-nursing-report-big-splash-lasting-impact.html
Sherman, R., & Pross, E. (2010, January ). Growing future nurse leaders to build and sustain healthy work environments at the unit level. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 15(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol15No01Man01