The IOM Report: Background
The “nursing profession represents the largest percentage of the United States’ healthcare workforce” (Bleich, 2011, p. 169). Nurses and caregivers can play a critical role in supporting the diverse health needs of many Americans. However, some hurdles have been making it impossible for these practitioners to address the health issues affecting the United States. Despite such challenges, healthcare professionals have accepted the fact that nurses have what it takes to deliver advanced care and lead change in health practice.
This understanding encouraged “the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the Institute of Medicine (IoM) to launch an initiative that could transform the nature of nursing” (Hassmiller & Combes, 2012, p. 8). These partners produced the IOM Report “Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.”
In order to come up with the IOM Report, the members of the committee focused on a number of issues that were observed in the nursing profession. These observations made it easier for them to outline the best strategies that can support the future performance of nurses. To begin with, the committee indicated that “nurses should be allowed to practice to the extent of their training and education” (Bleich, 2011, p. 169). As well, the committee supported the acquisition of new training.
The group indicated that nurses had the potential to act as full partners in redesigning the country’s healthcare sector. Proper planning and policymaking were identified as “critical approaches towards transforming the country’s healthcare sector” (Hassmiller & Reinhard, 2015, p. 51). These recommendations and observations were therefore considered in order to produce the IOM Report.
Importance of the IOM Report
The IOM Report “Future of Nursing” presents key proposals that have the potential to transform the quality of America’s healthcare sector. To begin with, the report proposes new policies that can empower more nurses to practice independently. The acquisition of baccalaureate, master, and doctorate degrees will prepare more nurses to deliver evidence-based care to more patients. The acquired education should equip these practitioners with better competencies (Bleich, 2011). The approach will make it easier for them to transform nursing practice. An improved healthcare sector that promotes collaboration between physicians and nurses will improve the quality of medical support.
Continued data collection in the healthcare sector can promote new ideas and policies that have the potential to support the medical needs of many patients. The gathered information can be used “to design better workplace environments and schedules” (Hassmiller & Reinhard, 2015, p. 52). These approaches will address the problem of workforce shortage in the healthcare sector. By so doing, more citizens in the country will be able to get adequate medical support.
The IOM Report also focuses on the importance of nursing education. The report explains why an effective education system should be designed in the country. The provision of adequate education in nursing will empower more practitioners to offer quality care to their patients (Bleich, 2011). More nurses will also undertake various educational roles. Such roles will equip more caregivers and nurse aides with the best competencies. These achievements will eventually transform the nature of healthcare in the country.
As well, the report is critical towards developing the country’s nursing workforce. An effective education system will attract more caregivers. These caregivers will undertake new roles in order to deliver desirable medical support. The move will also address the problem of nursing shortage. More Nurse Practitioners (NPs) will be able to practice independently without the supervision of physicians (Hassmiller & Combes, 2012). This development will make it easier for more practitioners to provide quality medical care to diverse populations. The targeted practitioners will also acquire new competencies and undertake various leadership roles. Such strategies will develop the country’s healthcare workforce and avail better services to the greatest number of patients.
Role of State-Based Action Coalitions
The “IOM’s Future of Nursing report presents specific recommendations that have the potential to transform health care in the United States through nursing” (Hassmiller & Combes, 2012, p. 9). That being the case, the Campaign for Action initiative has been implemented in different states across the country. These campaigns are characterized by goals based on the IOM report. These state-based action coalitions are working hard to transform health care. The main role of these campaigns is to mobilize more nurses, educators, consumers, and healthcare providers in order to improve quality care.
These state-based action coalitions have been promoting nursing leadership (Hassmiller & Reinhard, 2015). This approach is making it easier for health practitioners to promote the best practices that have the potential to transform the nature of care. The campaigns have been focusing on the best strategies in order to transform the country’s nursing education system. Each state is also encouraged to attract more practitioners from diverse backgrounds. Workforce data is also collected and used to design better healthcare delivery systems. This strategy has been put in place in order to tackle the challenge of nursing shortage.
Members of the community have also been empowered to embrace the best health practices. Different “stakeholders have also been encouraged to collaborate and strengthen nursing on multiple fronts” (Hassmiller & Reinhard, 2015, p. 52). This discussion shows clearly that such state-based action coalitions have continued to advance the major goals of the IOM report.
Initiatives Spearheaded by Florida Action Coalition
The Florida Action Coalition (FAC) is currently focusing on three areas. These include practice, leadership, and education (Florida Action Coalition, 2016). These areas are supported by adequate initiatives in order to produce quality results. The first initiative is to build a more diverse workforce. The best action steps have been identified in an attempt to produce appropriate outcomes. These steps include hiring practitioners from diverse backgrounds and attracting more volunteers (Florida Action Coalition, 2016).
The state’s workforce is encouraged to embrace the power of inclusiveness. The second initiative in nursing leadership. The FAC uses proper training and empowerment strategies to guide more NPs. Medical practitioners are also encouraged to collaborate with other caregivers in the state. These two initiatives have been useful in advancing the nursing profession. By so doing, the nursing profession will be able to deliver safe, quality, and timely healthcare to more Floridians (Bleich, 2011).
Several barriers are affecting the FAC. For instance, financial constraints are making it impossible for the state to implement these initiatives. Florida is also characterized by a nurse shortage. These barriers have the potential to affect the quality of care availed to different patients. That being the case, nursing advocates can begin by looking for different donors, well-wishers, and benefactors (Florida Action Coalition, 2016). Such stakeholders will ensure every campaign is successful. As well, such advocates can attract volunteers and encourage more people to join the profession. These achievements will eventually support the Florida Action Coalition’s objectives.
Reference List
Bleich, M. (2011). IOM Report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health: Milestones and Challenges in Expanding Nursing Science. Research in Nursing & Health, 34(3), 169-170.
Florida Action Coalition. (2016). Web.
Hassmiller, S., & Combes, J. (2012). Nurse Leaders in the Boardroom: A Fitting Choice. Journal of Healthcare Management, 57(1), 8-11.
Hassmiller, S., & Reinhard, S. (2015). A Bold New Vision for America’s Health Care System. American Journal of Nursing, 115(2), 49-55.