IOM Future of Nursing Recommendations

Fitting in the IOM Future of Nursing recommendations

The recommendation of increasing the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80% by 2020

The healthcare industry is changing and healthcare workers need to be up to date with the changes by upgrading their training regularly regardless of whether they have been licensed or not. Nurses are expected to be part of those that are expected to develop the behavior of continuous learning in order to be able to make better decisions that would improve the healthcare outcomes of their patients. As a nurse, I appreciate the fact that my field is one that is at the core of healthcare and therefore, for any changes in healthcare, what is expected of me just like other nurses is to make a positive respond to them and that includes learning more. Joining those nurses that are committed to upgrading their healthcare knowledge will be my contribution to increasing the number of those licensed and competent workers needed to address the increasing healthcare needs in the society (Nelson, n.d; EBSCO Health, 2017).

Recommendation 5: Double the number of nurses with a doctorate by 2020

The main goal of recommendation 5 noted in the report of the Institute of Medicine on the future of nursing is to increase the number of professional nurses that will be capable of leading changes in healthcare in effort to improve healthcare outcomes. Presently, the number of nurses that can handle this task is not enough, as most nurses are those that have reached the Master’s level (Broome, 2012).  I do find the goal quite important and necessary because, healthcare just like other industries need to identify which changes they need to continually make and be successful at adapting to them. To achieve this, the health industry requires effective leaders who can effectively lead change and influence others to understand the need for change and embrace it. With the knowledge I have, I find myself fitting with this goal as I will be one of the stakeholders that will be needed to support change when needed (Kotter, 2012). Thus, I will be keen to support those nurses that will make it to the leadership position as I continue to upgrade my learning to reach the Doctorate level.

Recommendation 6: Ensure that nurses engage in lifelong learning

The goal of recommendation 6 in the Institute of Medicine report is to motivate nurses to continue learning and this effort affects the employers as well. Employers are key in promoting continuous training and development of nurses as part of employee motivation and organizational culture. However, engaging in continuous learning also requires each nurse to be committed to the process and take it as a professional responsibility (Steelman, 2014). In this regard, I fit in the recommendation by understanding this will be a duty that I shall undertake to promote healthcare in the society.

My options in the Job Market based on my Education Level

How my increasing my level of education affect how I compete in the current job market

The forces that drive economic growth nationally influence the job market and this implies that every individual willing to remain relevant in this market needs to be highly skilled and experienced. My goal as a nurse is to offer excellent patient care and to achieve this, my educational level needs to be higher and reinforced by continuous learning. To be able to be considered as one of those nurses that are committed to continuous learning, I will need to prove my interest in learning by ensuring that my education is regularly upgraded from credible organizations and get certified in every stage.

How increasing my level of education affects my role in the future of nursing

My effort of increasing my education level will affect my nursing role in future by- acting as an example to other upcoming nurses in making them realize the importance of continuous learning in nursing. More so, the effort will enable me be counted among those leaders that advocate on promoting healthcare through continuous learning.

References

Broome, M. E. (2012). Doubling the number of doctorally prepared nurses. Nursing Outlook, 60, 111-113.

EBSCO Health (2017). The increasing importance of lifelong learning in healthcare, and especially nursing. Retrieved< https://health.ebsco.com/blog/article/the-increasing-importance-of-lifelong-learning-in-healthcare-and-especially>.

Kotter, J. P. (2012). Leading change, with a new preface by the author: Part 1: the change problem and its solution. New York: Harvard Business Press

Nelson, L. (n.d). Report: 80% of nursing workforce should have a BSN by 2020. Retrieved< https://nurse.org/articles/BSN-initiative-80-2020/>.

Steelman, V. M. (2014). Engaging in lifelong learning to lead the way. AORN Journal, 99(5), 557-559