Introduction
The 2010 IOM report on the future of nursing has an impact on nursing as a profession. Nurses should provide care that is based on the unique needs of each patient. Care should not be based on their convenience but the convenience of patients involved in the nursing practice. The influence of the 2010 IOM report on the future of nursing is covered under nursing education, practice, and the nurse’s role and a leader.
Nursing education
The 2010 IOM report outlines that the licensing exam is provided to nurses after completing education. In particular, the 2010 IOM report led to the introduction of the National Council Licensure Examination for all registered nurses. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) ensures that nurses pass a licensing exam before they are allowed to engage in the nursing practice. Education alone is not necessary for nursing. The 2010 IOM report identifies the need to use theories learned in universities and colleges in practical settings. The principal aim of the licensing exam is to test competency achieved from universities and colleges offering nursing courses.
Some hospitals employ nurses with Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The 2010 IOM report does not reveal the ideal qualification for one to be a practitioner. However, the number of BSN prepared nurses is on the rise. Other community and public health settings also prefer BSN as a minimum entry into nursing based on competencies, awareness of community-based interventions, and skills necessary for the community and public health settings. The 2010 IOM report also identifies the need to subsidize the cost of nursing education. High costs of nursing education limit the number of students who wish to study nursing but cannot finance their education.
Nursing Practice
The 2010 IOM report identifies the need for patient-centered care as part of nursing practice. The need to use a patient-centered care approach guarantees quality care provision so that errors arising from practice are reduced (Hassmiller & Goodman, 2011). Furthermore, there is a need for nursing as a practice to guarantee the safety of patients through high-quality care, reduced errors, and safety. The 2010 IOM report ensures that nurses assure the traditional strengths of the nursing profession.
Nursing practice should also change based on high levels of technologies used in hospitals. The evolution of the nursing profession through the introduction of technologies does not mean that fewer nurses are needed (Valiee, Peyrovi, & Nasrabadi, 2014). More and more nurses are required based on the new career pathways that have evolved. The responsibilities of nurses have also increased. The 2010 IOM report motivates the increase of nurses in all hospitals with talents and capabilities to provide quality care.
Based on the shortage of primary care professionals, the 2010 IOM report encourages the employment of nurses in primary care. Without an increased number of nurses, primary care services in the United States cannot be achieved. An increased number of physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners has increased. At the end of 2008, the United States had about 83,000 nurse practitioners and 287,000 physicians providing primary care services. Since the introduction of the 2010 IOM report, the number of physicians and nurse practitioners is on the rise so that access to coverage, service settings, and services increase within the United States.
Nurse’s role as a leader
The 2010 IOM report identifies the need to avoid giving directions and expecting patients to follow directions. Giving directions is cited as an approach that does not lead to success. Nurses as leaders are required to work with partners through mutual respect and collaboration. Through mutual respect and communication, nurses improve patient outcomes; reduce risks of errors and strikes, among nurses. Mutual respect and collaboration as a leadership approach ensure that nurses reduce challenges such as workplace bullying and disruptive behavior as fundamental challenges to health care environments (Bosco, Ward, & Styles, 2014).
Change practice to meet the goals of the IOM report
My practice would shift towards a serious commitment to patient care, which is safe and of high quality to realize better outcomes. In particular, my nursing practice should involve the adoption of patient-centered healthcare based on mutual respect and collaboration with all practitioners. Each patient has unique needs. Intervention measures adopted in each setting should be based on the patient-centered approach to health care(Cooper, Cant, Browning, & Robinson, 2015). I would eradicate the need to use solutions designed by the nurse without considering the need for the patient.
Conclusion
The 2010 IOM report has led to the need for increasing the number of nursing students across the United States. National Council Licensure Examination for all registered nurses has also been introduced to guarantee quality service. Through subsidies, students should be encouraged to seek quality education that ensures quality nursing care. The high number of nurses has also been employed in primary care based on the recommendation of the 2010 IOM report. Regarding leadership, mutual respect and communication assist nurses to improve patient outcomes, reduce risks of errors, and strikes among nurses.
References
Bosco, A. M., Ward, C., & Styles, I. (2014). Looking to the future: Nursing as a career goal. Contemporary Nurse, 19(1-2), 105–114.
Cooper, S., Cant, R., Browning, M., & Robinson, E. (2015). Preparing nursing students for the future: Development and implementation of an Australian Bachelor of Nursing programme with a community health focus. Contemporary Nurse, 49(1), 68–74.
Hassmiller, S. B., & Goodman, D. C. (2011). Interprofessional care and the future of nursing. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 25(3), 163–4.
Institute of Medicine (IOM) report (2010). The Future of Nursing: leading change, advancing health. The National Academies Press. Washington, D.C.
Valiee, S., Peyrovi, H., & Nasrabadi, A. N. (2014). Critical care nurses’ perception of nursing error and its causes: a qualitative study. Contemporary Nurse, 46(2), 206–13.