Every time I read the report on the IOM recommendations, I cannot help but see it as the future of healthcare in the United States.I like the fact that all the recommendations have been simplified and are straight to the point but yet carry a lot of weight in regard to shaping the future of nursing practice. It clearly points out that indeed, nurses have been bestowed with a critical role particularly in producing safe, effective and quality care for all the patients in our healthcare system (Aiken et al, 2003, p.1621). As a nurse on training, I see myself fitting perfectly in all the recommendations that were made by the committee of experts of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, who had been mandated, to deliberate on the Future of nursing at the Institute of Medicine (IOM) on 2010.
The first recommendation that I will be fulfilling soon is that which recommends that the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree be increased from 50% to 80% by the year 2020. I fit into this recommendation because I will be graduating soon and join the nursing workforce that is badly need in our country. In addition, I also plan that, in the near future, I will also be able to go for my doctorate so as to fulfil the fifth recommendation that recommends that the number of nurses with a doctorate be doubled by the year 2020. When I achieve this, it will be obvious that as a nurse, I would have engaged myself to a lifelong learning processas the IOM team further recommends. It is my opinion that, quality nursing care will be fully achieved by reducing the number of medical errors committed in the course of provision of care. A study carried out by I.W Fong showed that medical errors especially errors of omissions would be greatly relates to the level of education and preparation that the nurse receives (p.254). It is for this reason that I fully support these recommendations as being some of the pillars for the future of the nursing professional.
Therefore, I believe that, increasing my level of education will definitely make me more competitive at the job market; in regard to both getting hired and promoted at the workplace. It is apparent that, well prepared nurses will demonstrate an increased level of productivity and better patient outcomes (Aiken et al, 2003, p.1619). Consequently, more BSNs and MSNs will lead to improved care delivery. In addition, a significant increase in credentialed nursing faculty means well qualified practitioners who will not only lead to more advanced primary care delivery but also would be able to indulge themselves in research studies that would add to theevidence base of nursing profession. With an increased level of training, I see myself as a future nurse who will be able to fit in such positions that would allow me to adequately use my knowledge in enhancing research that will ultimately lead to better healthcare services.
Conclusively, I consider learning as the major backbone to the future of nursing practice. More education will result into better services due to minimisation of errors. Additionally, I believe that it is solely through advanced learning that I would be exposed to numerous options that would make my career as a nurse worthwhile.
References
Aiken, L.H., Clarke, S.P., Cheung, R.B., Sloane, D.M., & Silber, J.H. (2003).Educational
levels of hospital nurses and surgical patient mortality. JAMA,290(12), 1617-1623. doi: 10.1001/jama.290.12.1617
Fong, I. W. (2011). Medico-legal Issues in Infectious Diseases: Guide for Physicians.
Springer.
