One of the main recommendations was an improvement in the education and training of nurses. This improvement of the education system would allow nurses not only achieve higher levels of education, but would also provide opportunities for continued academic improvement.
This is important as nurses are now working in an evolving healthcare system. In this system, patients are more aware and present with complex problems. Moreover, in this system, there is an increasing need for integration of healthcare professionals and an increasing transformation of the healthcare system with technology.
Nursing professionals are directly in contact with the needs of the patient and of the healthcare system. The Institute of Medicine (IOM), therefore, was right in setting forth this recommendation as knowledge and empowerment of nursing professionals is the only way to ensure that they are capable and competent in handling the issues of an ever-changing health care system (Milstead 2014).
Professional Organizations play a fundamental role in advancing the education of nurses at both nation and state level. For instance, American Nurses Association provides key resources to help in the advancement of education in the nursing profession, this it does through itself and its subsidiaries. ANA provides key information about continuing educational programs and provides opportunities for funding of nursing research programs. Moreover, ANA has been a key interest group in pushing for legislative initiatives that aim to recruit more nursing professionals. Secondly, the National League of Nursing, which has created a foundation geared towards the funding of academic opportunities for nurses throughout the country. The scholarships offered allow for academic progression of nursing professionals by providing opportunities to gain more experience and more diversity (Paton et al., 2014). Lastly, the National Student Nurse Association whose main objective is to mentor students before entry into the profession. They provide funding for undergraduate programs, leadership opportunities for the future policy makers and mentorship programs led by qualified professionals.
References
Milstead, J. A. (2014). Health policy and politics :A Nurse's Guide. New York: Jones& Barlett Publishers.
Patton, R. et al., (2014). Nurses making policy. Chicago: Springer Publishing Company.
