Introduction
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Committee Initiative on the Future of Nursing in cooperation with the Institute of Medicine has implemented extensive research that revealed challenges as well as opportunities of the future of nursing. The report provided contains valuable insights on the matter. According to this report, key objectives are as follows: nurses should practice and acquire new skills and experience, they should achieve higher levels of education, they should collaborate with other healthcare professionals, and it is essential to improve data collection to develop most effective workforce policies (The future of nursing, n.d.). These goals are reachable and crucial for the future of nursing in the USA. At that, state-based coalitions play an important role in achieving these goals, and the example of the initiative mentioned above suggests that these coalitions are effective. It is possible to consider the progress of state-based coalition in Florida to have a deeper understanding of the benefits of these coalitions’ activities.
The Importance of the IOM Report for State-Based Coalitions and Their Activities
In the first place, it is necessary to note that the IOM Report is of paramount importance for the development of US nursing as it outlines major challenges and opportunities for nursing. It has been estimated that there will be a significant shortage of nurse practitioners by 2025 and policymakers as well as researchers have been trying to come up with efficient ideas to address the issue (Huston, 2013). Notably, state-based coalitions managed to uncover major reasons for the shortage and suggest possible ways out. For instance, a successful project to increase the number of nurses with a baccalaureate degree was implemented in North Carolina in 2010s (Johnson, 2014). It has been acknowledged that young people are reluctant to enter the profession due to the persistent view that nursing is associated with a low level of education, salaries and few opportunities for professional as well as personal growth. The project implemented led to the change in people’s views on nursing, and more and more nurses have applied for the higher levels of education.
Importantly, state and nation programs require a significant amount of time for planning and implementation. Smith and Moore (2011) argue that the process of the change on the level of the entire country takes more time due to several bureaucratic peculiarities and certain generalization. At that, state-based coalitions are more flexible and understand the needs of the community better as they are closer to the people, so-to-speak.
As far as the IOM report is concerned, it is essential for the success of the state-based coalitions. The report can be regarded as a basis or guidance for the organizations’ planning and project implementation. As has been mentioned above, the report includes a description of major challenges, and it also contains a set of recommendations which can be applied in different states. Thus, the need to encourage future nurses to obtain higher educational degrees is one of the key objectives outlined in the report. The project in North Carolina is an example of a successful implementation of a project based on the report’s points.
Apart from nursing education, the report may facilitate the development of the nursing practice and workforce. According to the IOM report, nurses should focus on acquiring new skills (The future of nursing, n.d.). It is also important to add that the workforce is another central point in the report. Collaboration among all healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors, management, and so on) is seen as one of the crucial elements of successful development of nursing (as well as the entire health care system).
Initiatives in Florida
The success of state-based coalitions across the US-inspired lots of people to form new organizations and suggest new initiatives. In Florida, such initiatives are acquiring more attention and are becoming more effective. For instance, when it comes to education, an initiative to increase the “percentage of working RNs in Florida with a BSN degree or higher to 80% by 2020” led to establishment of West Central Florida regional team that developed an Education Action Team Toolkit (Campaign for action, 2013, p. 2). The tool provides a helpful platform for professionals to implement research. Notably, regional teams are created, and it leads to the wide coverage of nurses in the state. It is also necessary to add that apart from the focus on baccalaureate and doctoral degrees the initiative is also aimed at the development of residency programs (which will provide nurses with more opportunities) and ways to ensure nurses engagement in life-long learning.
As far as leadership is concerned, the SIP Project Plan has been implemented in Florida. The project involves the promotion of leadership in nursing, education of leaders in the public, nonprofit, and private organizations on the benefits of contributions to nursing development. In terms of the SIP Project Plan, organizations obtain grants and contributions to the development of nurses’ leadership in different ways.
Another milestone for nursing development is practice and care. Several organizations have joined to maximize nursing practice in the state. The organizations involved include (but are not confined to) the Center to Champion Nurses in America, the FL-AC Steering Committee, the Florida Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses. Particular goals to contribute to appropriate legislation have been identified, and the organizations mentioned above are committed to advance the nursing practice through, education, standardization, improve legislation, and sharing experiences.
As for interprofessional collaboration, the Florida Action Coalition has launched several initiatives to improve collaboration among different healthcare professionals. One of these initiatives is the grant which will be provided to organizations working in this field and providing the well-developed project on creating particular ways to improve interprofessional collaboration.
Florida has a highly diverse population, and there is a need to address numerous issues related to diversity. The Steering Committee of the Florida Action Coalition and the Florida Alliance for Diversity in Healthcare have launched a number of an initiative aimed at raising nurses’ awareness of diversity in working places and the society (as well as among patients) and ways to cope with issues that arise. There are grants provided to facilitate the process. It is noteworthy that the same attention is paid to data and research. Organizations obtain grants as well as particular guidance to improve research and data collection.
Conclusion
On balance, it is possible to note that state-based coalitions have contributed greatly to the development of nursing in the USA. The IOM report is playing a special role in the process as nurses (as well as other healthcare professionals), policymakers, members of numerous organizations can see major challenges in the field. More so, the report provides certain recommendations that can help launch a variety of effective initiative. Florida has proved that it is possible to address the shortage of nurses through addressing issues highlighted in the IOM reports.
Reference List
Campaign for action. (2013). Web.
Huston, C.L. (2013). Professional issues in nursing: Challenges and opportunities. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Johnson, P. (2014). The RIBN initiative: A new effort to increase the number of baccalaureate nurses in North Carolina. North Carolina Medical Journal, 75(1), 39-44.
Smith, D.G., & Moore, J.D. (2011). Medicaid politics and policy. Piscataway, NJ: Transaction Publishers.
The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. (n.d.). Web.