In 2010, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) published an evidence based “Consensus Report”, with the intentions of creating what they then called a “blueprint” for the future of nursing. After a study conducted by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), it was determined that nurses were unable to meet the needs of the rapidly growing healthcare system and the continuous advancement of healthcare settings.
This was reportedly due to the lack of ability on the nurses to practice to the maximum potential of their training and education, the inability to achieve higher levels of education due to the lack of quality educational systems, the faulty structure of the United States healthcare system and the inadequate infrastructures in place for data and information collection. In correction of these four “barriers” as they called it, nurses would then adequately meet the needs of the healthcare systems, thus transforming nursing as we now know for quality nursing for the future.
The impact of the report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in relation to nursing practice and education has subsequently launched a movement by healthcare entities such as AARP and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) in 2010, whom after this publication launched the “Campaign for Action”. The campaigns visions and sole effort was to “create a healthier population” achieved at state and national levels.
Due to the aggressive approach of this campaign it has been called a “massive multi- faceted effort” utilizing “Action Coalitions” in 49 of the 50 states to “implement the recommendations” set forth by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) through educational and healthcare facilities. According to the campaignforaction. org , this implementation currently has been accredited for the recent change of policy by Medi-cal in supporting a more advanced practice Registered Nurse and the increase of nursing programs at the Bachelor level in community colleges “providing greater access to the nursing profession” with a more reformed approach.
Primary nursing became directly affected as hospitals focus their efforts on becoming magnet status in effort if to achieve the goals set forth by the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine (IOM). During the “Journey to Magnet Excellence” hospitals primary step is to conduct self-assessments to evaluate their areas of excellence and deficiencies, referred to as “discovery” phase.
The period between the primary stage and the final transformation phase gives the facility time to formulate a plan to execute the final phase, primarily involving board members and other leaders of the facility. Transformation phase, primarily affecting nurses, is when facilities implement change through creating “infrastructures for support programs” such as evidenced based practice, nursing research, and quality improvement. This type of implementation of the recommendations would be that of which the kind that I would implement in my own practice because I believe in it vision.
Nursing is more than just a career or a profession; it’s a life long journey to achieve excellence. The current overview of nursing practice in comparison to 2010, prior to the publication from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), has drastically changed in a more positive direction, viewing nurses in stronger leadership roles as they are taking a more proactive approach, directly involving their selves in these changes for the future of nursing.
Barbara Akinwole of AARP quoted Susan Reinhard, PhD, RN, FAAN in her 2012 article; Leading the Way: Nurses Embrace Transforming Health Care by saying “Nurses are stepping up to help lead this transformation in health and health care for people of all ages, and that’s incredibly exciting to see. ” It is a profound step in the direction towards the Institute of Medicine (IOM) initial recommendations as influential healthcare leaders are giving affirmation to the efforts of many with statements such as this one.
The profession of nursing yesterday, today, tomorrow, and for generations to come, is best summed up by one of its foundational leaders Florence Nightingale, “We nurses declare our willingness to reunite in a program of action sharing information and solutions to resolve problems and improve conditions- locally, nationally, and globally- in order to achieve health for all humanity. ” References 1. Institute of Medicine “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health”, Copyright © 2013 National Academy of Sciences http://www. iom. edu/Reports/2010/The-Future-of-Nursing-Leading-Change-Advancing-Health. aspx 2. Barbara Akinwole “Leading the Way:
Nurses Embrace Transforming Health Care” Nov 28, 2012. http://campaignforaction. org/nurses-transforming-hc 3. Campaign for Action: Future of Nursing/community campaignforaction. org 4. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation “Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action”. © 2001–2013 http://www. rwjf. org/en/topics/rwjf-topic-areas/nursing/action-coalitions. html 5. Journey to Magnet Excellence http://www. nursecredentialing. org/MagnetJourney. aspx 6. Florence Nightingale Timeless: The Nightingale Declaration http://www. gannetthg. com/shared/Nightingale/quotes/SG_Nightingale_Quote10. pdf.