Introduction
The 2010 IOM report was an eye-opener for nurses regarding service delivery for patients. Several positive impacts have been realized so far. From the report, it is evident that transformational practice, education, and leadership are the key tenets of effective nursing roles both currently and in the future.
Transforming practice
Patients should remain the center of focus in the process of healthcare delivery. Before the IOM 2010 report was adopted, there were several instances when the well-being of healthcare professionals took the center stage in service delivery at the expense of patients (Institute of Medicine, 2010). Nonetheless, several changes have already taken place with patients in mind. Unless a healthcare system is fully transformed, nursing goals towards patients can hardly be achieved. To transform any given healthcare system, there is a need to fundamentally rethink the duties of individuals who offer services in healthcare institutions. New healthcare structures have been outlined in the Affordable Care Act that was adopted in 2010. In line with the IOM 2010 report, new roles and opportunities have been created so that nursing practice can be elevated to another level altogether. Needless to say, access to healthcare services and quality improvement are some of the core values of an effective and transformed nursing practice (Cassey, 2007). Presently, some healthcare systems have been improved because vast opportunities are available for nurses to perform significant roles in their practice. There are myriads of demands that have been placed on nurses so that they can develop patient-centered systems. The goals of the IOM report can be achieved by making sure that the needs of patients come first throughout the process of healthcare delivery.
Transforming education
The 2010 IOM report on education had several positive impacts on nursing. It is vital to mention that the healthcare system in the United States requires rapid changes in order to meet the increasing demand for high-quality care (Institute of Medicine, 2010). Hence, nursing care also demands significant changes especially in regards to education. Before and after working permits are issued to nurses, it is necessary for them to be well educated within their domains. For instance, the report suggests that quality improvement methods, care management, and a better understanding of the needs of patients are some of the holistic benefits of education among nurses. When the level of education is transformed at all levels of nursing, it becomes quite easy to re-conceptualize the various responsibilities of nurses. This is a major impact of the report in education bearing in mind that some sections have already been implemented (Coonan, 2008).
So far, lifelong learning has been sustained as a viable platform in nursing education. In addition, nurses who have benefitted from the implementation of the IOM 2010 report have experienced a seamless transition in healthcare delivery. Most of them no longer hold mere diploma certifications. Higher degree programs are currently being embraced by nurses as part and parcel of lifelong learning towards improving their standards of service delivery.
Student bodies that oversee the well-being of nurses have also been at the forefront especially in articulating the concerns of ethnic minority groups. The latter have been poorly represented for a long time (Cassey, 2007). However, after the 2010 IOM report was put into action, underrepresentation gradually went down.
It is worth mentioning that the key goals of nursing education have never changed. As such, the diverse needs of patients must be met by nurses. They should also be proactive as effective leaders when discharging their duties and finally, they ought to optimally utilize the skills and knowledge gained from higher education levels to offer high-quality care.
Transforming leadership
It may not be easy to realize the goals of an effective healthcare system in the absence of strong leadership. However, being a leader is often not a priority among all nurses who join the profession. All healthcare systems must nurture leadership in nursing. As it stands now, quite a number of healthcare systems have been transformed after the adoption of the IOM 2010 report. Transformational leadership has largely led to effective healthcare delivery to patients (Institute of Medicine, 2010). As much as nurses are hardly perceived by the public as leaders, design implementation requires that all nurses should acquire leadership skills and competencies. The ongoing reforms in nursing care are also in tandem with leadership requirements in healthcare delivery (Coonan, 2008). Other health professionals and physicians can only collaborate effectively with nurses when the leadership ideals are up to date.
For example, the reform efforts and redesign of various working portfolios throughout the entire healthcare system require regular input by nurses in terms of leadership. The evidence-based improvements have so far been implemented in selected healthcare establishments for the benefit of patients. Effective leadership skills also enable nurses to be full-time partners in the process of healthcare delivery. Perhaps, it is not just enough for these nurses to be effective leaders within their professional boundaries (Cassey, 2007). They ought to deliver efficient services to other colleagues in the healthcare system. This implies that nursing leadership should go beyond the professional confines of nurses. Nurses who are well versed with the leadership demands in their professions are in a position to take over their responsibilities as full-time partners in care environments. In other words, they are more confident in service delivery.
References
Cassey, M. Z. (2007). Incorporating the national guideline clearinghouse into evidence-based nursing practice. Nursing Economics, 25(5), 302-303.
Coonan, P. R. (2008). Educational innovation: Nursing’s leadership challenge. Nursing Economics, 26(2), 117-121.
Institute of Medicine (2010). The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.