Introduction
The existing challenges and gaps in nursing practice are addressed by relevant documents and regulated by the introduction of suitable initiatives designed to optimize the work of nursing staff. In particular, the Institute of Medicine (IOM), as an organization that is involved in the transformation of the nursing industry to improve the quality specialists’ work, provides all possible support to those involved. At the initiative of the creators of the IOM, the platform Campaign for Action was developed, another resource designed to improve the quality of nursing practice and, thus, help the population. These projects are valuable programs that contribute to the improvement of nursing education, workforce development, and the achievement of the ultimate goals of care.
Valuable Initiatives
The creation of the IOM was made possible by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. According to the official report, the new organization appeared in 2008, and it was decided to combine both structures into a partnership group in order to address the existing difficulties in the nursing industry (Institute of Medicine, 2011). Subsequently, the report itself was compiled due to the productive work of the people involved and the goals set, which implied an active two-year work on developing valuable interventions and proposals (Institute of Medicine, 2011). In particular, in addition to research activities, community representatives held workshops where they shared experiences, organized meetings with the target audience, and developed care projects in individual communities. Such work paid off: in 2011, a team of specialists published an extensive report on the work done and presented priority areas based on optimizing and improving the quality of nursing (Institute of Medicine, 2011). Thus, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation became the background for creating the new organization and conducting large-scale research work on the analysis and evaluation of relevant data about nursing and gaps in this sphere.
Key Messages
The aforementioned report presented by the IOM offers four key messages that form a priority course for nursing development in the modern healthcare environment. According to the Institute of Medicine (2011), they include basic recommendations for the junior medical staff. These messages are the need to practice training, the importance of an improved education system, the value of nursing partnerships with healthcare stakeholders, and the need for data collection for effective workforce planning (Institute of Medicine, 2011). Each of the recommendations addresses significant aspects of work and helps focus on the ultimate development goals.
For instance, from the standpoint of influence on nursing practice, the messages set clear tasks for employees to follow the plan and not only fulfill immediate responsibilities but also improve personal performance results. With regard to education and training, the recommendations provide an opportunity to understand the importance of continuous professional growth and development through the continuous honing of valuable skills. Nursing leadership can be enhanced significantly, for instance, by building partnerships with other entities in the national healthcare system and appointing responsible people to oversee reporting among different sectors. Finally, the workforce development area has been transformed due to the implementation of the necessary data collection processes and the analysis of the information field that should be covered by a sufficient number of specialists.
Role of State-Based Action Coalitions
State-based action coalitions are structures that address the goals identified in the IOM report and take specific steps to improve the quality of nursing in individual communities. For instance, one of the initiatives is to increase access for students from poor districts to receive appropriate education (“High school student finds herself on the frontlines of care,” 2020). Another example is the establishment of partnerships with medical universities in local states in order to organize preparatory courses for those wishing to receive qualified nursing education (“High school student finds herself on the frontlines of care,” 2020). By using the current COVID-19 pandemic as an example, one can see how state-based action coalitions promote nursing education to address the epidemic and help young employees to avoid infection (“High school student finds herself on the frontlines of care,” 2020). These measures are consistent with the four messages of the IOM report and are significant state-level interventions.
Florida Action Coalition
As one of the initiatives promoted by the Florida action coalition, one can note the desire for freer work for nursing staff. In particular, according to recent reports, the Senate approved the request to provide APR nurses with an opportunity to work without the supervision of responsible physicians (“New law soon to provide Floridians better health care options,” 2020). This initiative promoted by the local action coalition will reflect on the practice of medical personnel favorably and help expand the terms of reference. In addition, the population will be able to rely on freer access to healthcare services due to the lack of the need to interact with different participants in the care process. Another valuable initiative of the Florida action coalition is the provision of scholarships. At the end of summer 2019, 14 scholarships totaling $50,000 were granted, and since 2016, around $264,000 has been allocated to support nursing education (“Suncoast nursing action coalition,” 2019). This practice has a positive effect on nursing training and allows talented and motivated students to develop their abilities and skills and benefit society in the future.
Barriers to Advancement
At the moment, the statutory barrier giving patients free access to interaction with advanced nurses is the only significant limitation in Florida. However, as mentioned earlier, the initiative group has made it possible for medical staff to interact directly with the public without physician supervision (“New law soon to provide Floridians better health care options,” 2020). The organization of BSN scholarship programs does not have significant barriers since new contacts with universities are constantly being established, and the number of students is regularly increasing (“Suncoast nursing action coalition,” 2019). Thus, Florida nursing advocates do everything possible to expand the working opportunities of nursing staff in the state and help professionals improve their skills through active independent practice and direct communication with the population.
Conclusion
Such projects as the IOM and Campaign for Action are valuable programs that stimulate the improvement of nursing practice, help improve education, and open up opportunities for productive workforce development. The partnership between these two structures creates a high-performance environment that allows formulating basic recommendations for nurses to hone the necessary skills and self-develop. Individual state-based initiative coalitions work to address significant issues and omissions locally, and the Florida group example is indicative. Enhanced job opportunities for APR nurses and ongoing scholarships are those practices that help improve nursing education and overcome the existing barriers caused by an insufficiently advanced mechanism of training junior medical specialists.
References
A high school student finds herself on the frontlines of care. (2020). Campaign for Action.
Institute of Medicine. (2011). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. Web.
New law soon to provide Floridians better health care options. (2020). Campaign for Action.
Suncoast nursing action coalition. (2019). Campaign for Action. Web.