Work that Led to the IOM Report
The collaboration between the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) led to new insights that could be embraced to transform the healthcare of many American citizens. This work outlined the major barriers that were affecting the healthcare sector. For instance, the organizations identified that nurses formed the greatest percentage of healthcare professionals in the country (Sheetz, 2012). The professionals possess the right concepts, skills, educational competencies, and ideas that can revolutionize the medical field. However, some hurdles continue to affect the career paths and opportunities available to more nurses (Sheetz, 2012). This understanding is what guided the two partners to present the “Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health” report.
Several trends and issues were outlined in the IOM report. For instance, adequate strategies capable of empowering nurses in the country were identified. The committee focused on “the best approaches to ensure more nurses practiced to the extent of their skills, knowledge, and training” (Sheetz, 2012, p. 5). The concept of lifelong learning was embraced in order to support professionals. When allowed to act as stakeholders in medical practice, nurses have the potential to transform the quality of health services available to every citizen. New policies and strategic plans were proposed in order to empower nurse practitioners.
Importance of the IOM “Future of Nursing” Report
The IOM report outlines a number of recommendations that can be utilized to make nursing an integral part of America’s healthcare sector (Palatnik, 2016). When nurses are empowered, they can find it easier to use their skills and eventually support their patients’ needs. The IOM report focuses on key areas such as nursing workforce, education, and practice.
Nursing Practice
The current legislation requires nurses to work under supervision in order to safeguard the rights of every patient. Unfortunately, these professionals possess adequate competencies and leadership skills that appear to be ignored (Palatnik, 2016). The report indicates that “nurses should be empowered and guided to practice without supervision” (Palatnik, 2016, p. 3). When they practice independently, it will be easier for them to offer adequate support to their clients. They should be allowed to pursue their academic goals in order to develop new skills. The acquired knowledge will make it easier for them to offer superior health services. The report goes further to support the collaboration between physicians and practitioners. The approach will support the goals of both the practitioners and their patients.
Nursing Education
The IOM report goes further to support the nation’s nursing education system. An effective education system can provide practitioners with adequate skills in nursing. Consequently, such professionals will be in a position to provide timely and evidence-based care to their patients. The education system should be updated continuously in order to meet the changing needs of different patients (Sheetz, 2012). The inclusion of informatics and technologies in nursing education will improve the healthcare sector.
Workforce Development
The report supports the need to develop the nursing workforce. This goal can be achieved by transforming nursing education in the nation (Mattila et al., 2014). New policies should be designed in order to attract more nurses and caregivers. Competitive salaries and working environments will ensure more people are willing to join the nursing profession. The ability to practice independently is something that will make it easier for more nurses to realize their career goals. A new strategy aimed at making nurses equal players in healthcare will maximize collaboration with other professionals. The practitioners will acquire new competencies and eventually deliver quality services to their clients. Nurses should be empowered to take up various leadership tasks. Such roles will transform the sector and ensure quality services are available to every underserved population.
State-Based Action Coalitions
Role of State-Based Action Coalitions
The Campaign for Action is an initiative that targets every state in the United States. The campaign is aimed at transforming the nation’s healthcare sector. The goals of the Campaign for Action are guided by the IOM report. These initiatives have been implemented in order to attract more nurses and educators (Mattila et al., 2014). By so doing, more states in the nation will have competent healthcare workers, nurses, and caregivers who can deliver quality medical services.
These Action Coalitions have been focusing on specific evidence-based practices to transform the nursing profession. The first goal is that of leadership. More nurse practitioners are being encouraged to develop new leadership skills that can make a difference in the sector. The other objective is transforming nursing education and training (Sheetz, 2012). With proper education, more people will be encouraged to join different nursing institutions. The education system will also ensure many nurses from different racial groups are encouraged to join the profession. These initiatives supported by the state-based Action Coalitions will eventually address the issue of a staffing shortage.
The other goal is attracting more stakeholders to be part of the IOM report implementation (Palatnik, 2016). For instance, members of the community and funders in healthcare are empowered to support the campaign. New strategies aimed at improving the welfare of different clients are also supported by these campaigns. Policymakers and educators are empowered by the campaigns in order to improve the sector. Such initiatives will eventually ensure quality care is available to more people. This discussion shows conclusively that the state-based coalitions are advancing the goals of the IOM Report.
Florida Action Coalition: Initiatives
The Florida Action Coalition has been committed to the goals of the IOM report. The first focus of this coalition is that of nursing practice. The leaders behind the coalition have managed to attract more practitioners, nurse aides, and volunteers (“Florida Action Coalition,” 2016). Individuals from various racial backgrounds are also encouraged to join this profession. The second goal is that of nursing leadership. The coalition has identified various initiatives to empower, guide, and train more nurse practitioners. New concepts such as collaboration and teamwork are supported in order to promote leadership in the profession. The other goal focuses on the quality of nursing education. These measures are expected to develop a field that delivers quality, evidence-based, and safe care to many people in the state.
Barriers
The Florida Action Coalition has been facing several constraints. To begin with, the problem of nursing shortage continues to affect the goals of the coalition. Lack of adequate financial resources is another barrier affecting the coalition’s action plans. These barriers can be addressed by identifying donors and funders (“Florida Action Coalition,” 2016). The collected money will be used to support the initiatives of the campaign. The coalition should encourage different people, such as volunteers, to embrace the field. Nurse aids should be trained in order to deal with the problem of nursing shortage. These measures will eventually support the Florida Action Coalition’s goals.
References
Florida Action Coalition. (2016). Web.
Mattila, E., Pitkanen, A., Alanen, S., Leino, K., Luojus, K., Rantanen, A.,…Aalto, P. (2014). The effects of the primary nursing care model: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing & Care, 3(205), 1-24.
Palatnik, A. (2016). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health…how are we doing? Nursing Critical Care, 11(3), 3-4.
Sheetz, A. (2012). What are the implications of the Institute of Medicine Report “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health” for school nursing practice? NASN, 1(1), 1-12.