Heather Scott
Grand Canyon University
In 2008, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) partnered with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to form an initiative on the future of nursing. The RWJF is an independent organization that focuses on healthcare innovations and programs such as childhood obesity, health coverage, and public health. The IOM is a non-government resource that assists the government and private agencies in making informed decisions about healthcare issues ("ISNA bulletin," 2011, p. 11). This 2 year study focused on the current state of healthcare, specifically nursing, and provided recommendations to improve the nursing profession and enhance the infrastructure of healthcare. Key points were safety, technology, and interdisciplinary collaboration of practice. The study focused on nursing education, practice, and nursing’s role of leadership (Committee on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative on the Future of Nursing, at the Institute of Medicine [RWJF], 2011).
The focus on education was primarily driven to advance the educational system and to further advance nursing care in the changing face of healthcare reforms. The study showed that nurses have a significant impact in healthcare, with more than 3 million members; they are posed to generate a large role in the reform of the healthcare system (Committee on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative on the Future of Nursing, at the Institute of Medicine [RWJF], 2011). The IOM strives to achieve higher levels of education through improved educational systems. Nurses are encouraged to practice to the full extent of their education and training. The IOM initiative is promoting removal of the barriers that are in place regarding scopes of practice for advanced practice nurses and to standardize the scope of practice delineations across state lines. The report recommends support of nursing education and programs expanded to graduate
References: Committee on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative on the Future of Nursing, at the Institute of Medicine. (2011). Institute of Medicine. [Article]. Retrieved from http://iom.edu/~/media/Files/Report%20Files/2010/The-Future-of-Nursing/Future%20o Fights, S. D. (2012, March/April). Nurses Lead From Where We Stand: How Can You Impact the Future Of Nursing? [Article]. MEDSURG Nursing, 21(2), 57-58. Retrieved from http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=74576360&site=eds-live&scope=site“>Nurses Lead from Where We Stand: How Can You Impact the Future of Nursing? IOM Report on the Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. [Journal article]. (2011, January 11). Med-Surg Matters, 1, 3. Retrieved from http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rzh&AN=2010978901&site=eds-live&scope=site”>IOM Report on the Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. Visioning the future of nursing: analysis of the IOM/RWJ foundation report [independent study]. (2011, august, September, October). Indiana State Nurses Association, 11-14