Nursing is one of the most humane professions, the importance of which can hardly be overestimated. Registered nurses work in diverse healthcare settings, providing medical care, support, and advice for patients. They maintain high standards in their practice, applying their professional skills and ethical values. This paper aims to discuss the future of nursing and consider the social, political, and environmental factors influencing the profession’s development.
Considering the role of nurses in medical care, I believe this profession can transform the healthcare system. Advancing nursing practice can significantly contribute to global health improvement. According to Wilson et al. (2016), the Global Advisory Panel on the Future of Nursing proposes a vision based on “global health and global nursing” (p. 1529). I agree with the idea since globalization is likely to influence the profession’s future and make nurses focus on achieving equity in medical care and ensuring health-promotion worldwide. Besides, the concept of global health involves not only human but also animal and environmental care, which corresponds to the ethical principles valued by nurses.
In this regard, it is crucial to consider environmental and social factors that influence what direction the profession is taking. In particular, such environmental issues as air, water, and land pollution, along with overpopulation and water shortage, can deter the development of nursing. At the same time, sustainability trends gain popularity and can benefit the healthcare system. As for the social factors, I would say that income, occupational, and educational inequality, as well as safety hazards, are harmful to the development of nursing practice. However, improving access to healthcare and tackling other socio-economic factors is crucial to ensure global health. Therefore, developing strategies that apply a comprehensive approach can improve the healthcare system.
To conclude, the nursing profession is considered essential to the community, and its future can be influenced by a number of social, political, and environmental factors. To transform medical care and create equal opportunities for people, issues on all levels need to be tackled. In this regard, the movement towards sustainability and globalization can benefit the nursing profession as it allows for applying ethical values and improving living standards for everyone.
Reference
Wilson, L., Mendes, I. A. C., Klopper, H., Catrambone, C., Al‐Maaitah, R., Norton, M. E., & Hill, M. (2016). ‘Global health’ and ‘global nursing’: Proposed definitions from the Global Advisory Panel on the Future of Nursing. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 72(7), 1529-1540.