Influence of the IOM Report andstate-based action coalitions on thefuture of the nursing practice
Introduction
The field of healthcare has undergone significant transformations with the rapid technological advancement and emergence of new knowledge. These transformations have resulted in several health reforms meant to adapt healthcare to meet the growing demands, new technologies, and diverse populations. The 2010 Institute of Medicine’s (IOM)report recognized that nursing’s future requires nurses to assume leading roles to meet the dynamic field of healthcare (ANA, 2010). The recommendations of the IOM Report focus improvement of nursing practice through redefine education, development of the workforce, andpromotion of improved nursing profession goals.
The recommendations of IOM and the adoption of state-based actions such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA)provided an impetus for creating an exceptional opportunity for transforming healthcare structures to enhance partnership and commitment to quality(ANA, 2010). According to the Association of American Nurses, these recommendations mirror the future of nursing. The nursing professional will ensure a transformation of nursing practice that embraces evidence-based practice, focuses on patient care, and promotes quality(2010). The report recognizes that the nurses’ significant role in the road to transformation in the field of healthcare, nurses are at the forefront of healthcare service provision, and their engagement is essential for the success of healthcare reforms.
As a result of several paces- setting promptings from various stakeholders such as IOM report, the nursing profession’s body embarked on actions focusing on education and curricular restructuring, scientific research, development of models and theory, and development of national research network for improving nursing education. These efforts set to maximize nurses’ opportunities for valuable contributions toward evidence-based practice (Stevens, 2013
The work of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation committee on the future of nursing
In 2008 -2010, the RWJFpartnered with the IOM in an initiative to assess and the nursing field The IOM published The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health; the publication became a road map for transforming the future of nursing(ANA,2010). The findings of the two-year assessment of the healthcare system revealed that the healthcare system’s dynamic state as a result of technology advancing, diverse population needs, and growing demand for evidence has made the system incapable of supporting new requirements (Battié, 2013).Besides, the assessment exposed the inadequacy of before and after licensure nursing education, thus proposing a significant overhaul of nursing education that meets the demand for equipping nurses with the necessary skills. According to Gillespie et al. (2018), RWJF has engaged itself in championing nursing reforms through its Nurse Faculty Scholars Program that inspires, develops, and supports associates through career development awards.
The IOM and RWJF set up a committee in November 2010 intending to analyze the role of nurses in the current and future advancement in technology and workforce shortage projections(Hassmiller&Reinhard, 2019).The committee was also responsible for assessing the nursing workforce’s capability to attain the requirements of a redesigned healthcare system. Furthermore, it played a significant role in advocating for additional nursing training institutions, and the realignment of the nursing curriculum achieves the requirements of the continually changing field of healthcare. Moreover, the committee provided recommendations on how the nursing field could attract and retain competent nurses in the workforce and was mandated to assess the available solution for addressing nursing workforce shortages and recommend essential changes ( Hassmiller&Reinhard, 2019).
The importance of the IOM to nursing practice, education and work development
The IOM partnership with RWJF to analyze and reform the future of nursing practice proposed changes that ensure nurses set to take up a leadership role and embrace collaboration to provide care successively in a dynamic healthcare field (Ulrich, 2015). The partnership resulted in the 2010 IOM report and provided a blueprint that guided the goal’s achievement. Following the release of the story, healthcare reforms began with establishing a national Campaign for Action and later the creation of action coalitions to push for these reforms. IOM positioned itself in the forefront in championing for the improvements of the nursing profession; it proposed actions designed to oversee the transformation of nursing practiceby advocating for additional nursing institutions and promoting enrolment to nursing school to avoid the likelihood of a shortage of nurses (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2015)
The IOM report advocates for an improved and favorable working environment andbetter employment terms for nurses by promoting the level of retention of nurses in healthcare. It also participated in developing the use of modernized technology in nursing practice. Besides, the institute concentrated on nursing care providers and nursing education reforms, thereby ensuring the healthcare field has qualified nurses (Ulrich, 2015). Additionally, the report stressed the need for a collaborative relationshipamong professionals in healthcareto ensure a reformed in the healthcare system in the US. Besides, it recommends strategic policy reforms for nursing professionals’ development by improving structures of obtaining data and information (Shalala et al., 2011).
The role of state-based action coalitions and how they advance goals of the future of nursing
Since the release of the IOM reportin 2010, Campaign for action through state-based Action Coalitions has been at the forefront of affecting the recommendation of the IOM report (Campaign for Action, 2019). The state-based action coalitions play a crucial role in promoting and aiding nurses’ participation in building healthy communities. Additionally, the Coalitions are involved in spreading the IOM report’s objectives by participating in campaigns programs at the regional, local, and state levels. Hassmiller&Reinhar (2019) stated the coalitions spearheadthe improvement of the healthcare system by boosting workforce development and promoting leadership of nurses. The Coalitions are mandated to push for the implementation of the recommendation of the IOM and the RWJF.The coalitions are in the front line of promoting new nursing schools and encouraging nursing education sponsorship to facilitate more nurses’ training. Furthermore, they engage in creating awareness among the policy and decision-makers and push for the reformation recommended by the IOM report.
Summary
Virginia’s “40 Under 40″ state-based coalition imitative aim to position nurses in a leadership position. The initiative mentors 40 Virginia RNs younger than 40 to represent and lead their profession. Another initiative launched by the Virginia Action Coalition was the beyondRN.com website’s launch in 2016 to provide educational information for nurses wishing to further their education(Campaign for Action, 2012,2016).
Barriers are currently existing in Virginia and how to overcome them.
Virginia has a shortage of nurses, as well as a drop in enrolment of nursing students. The lack of skilled and competent nurses results in substandard care and may lead to adverse outcomes. Efforts to mitigate this include provision of nursing scholarship and loans for nursing students and applicants, besides there is a need for expansion of nursing institutions and increment in salaries.
Conclusion
The IOM, in partnership with the RWJF, initiated a landmark reformation in the field of nursing. Following the IOM report in 2010, state-based Action Coalitions to push for the reform in their respective states at regional, local, and community levels. The report’s recommendation, the Coalitions have partnered with other stakeholders to spearhead the improvements in healthcare and more so in the nursing profession. The changes recommended redevelopment of nursing education curricular designed to meet the dynamic field of Health and expansion of the nursing school to accommodate more nursing students; this was a proactive action to minimize nurses’ shortage in the future. Furthermore, the initiative pushed for nurses’ leadership roles, better working conditions, and salaries and promoted partnerships among other healthcare professionals.
References
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American Nurses Association.(2010). ANA Applauds IOM’s release of “Future of Nursing” Report.Press Release Ed. Silver Springs, MD: American Nurses Association.
Battié, R. N. (2013). Perioperative nursing and education: what the IOM Future of Nursing report tells us. Aorn Journal, 98(3), 249-259.
Campaign for Action (2019). We’re Making Headway on the IOM Nursing Goals. Retrieved from from: https://campaignforaction.org/were-making-headway-on-the-iom-nursing-goals/.Assessed on 09 August 2020.
Gillespie, G. L., Gakumo, C. A., Von Ah, D., Pesut, D. J., Gonzalez-Guarda, R. M., & Thomas, T. (2018).A summative evaluation of productivity and accomplishments of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Nurse Faculty Scholars Program participants.Journal of Professional Nursing, 34(4), 289-295.
Hassmiller, S. B., &Reinhard, S. (2019). The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and AARP Story:: How Our Partnership Advanced the Future of Nursing. Nurse Leader, 17(5), 399-403.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.(2015). Assessing progress on the Institute of Medicine report The Future of Nursing.
Shalala, D., Bolton, L. B., Bleich, M. R., Brennan, T. A., Campbell, R. E., & Devlin, L. (2011). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing Health. Washington DC: The National Academy Press. doi, 10, 12956.
Stevens, K. (2013). The impact of evidence-based practice in nursing and the next big ideas.The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 18(2).
Ulrich, B. (2015). Progress on the 2010 IOM future of nursing report and future needs.Nephrology Nursing Journal, 42(6), 527-529.
VNA Facts about the Shortage of Nurses in Virginia Retrieved from: http://services.dlas.virginia.gov/user_db/frmjchc.aspx?viewid=689 . Accessed 09 August 2020