How does the health care system can be transformed so as to achieve promising results in nursing practice (IOM, 2010). Specifically the report demonstrates the strategies that can be employed to realize a transformation in nursing education, practice as well as leadership as discussed hereinafter.
The U.S health system has continued, in the 21st century, to face the challenges of quality and cost of care. The need for improved health care is evident due to the persistent of the challenges. The IOM (2010) report was published at the time when the legislation for health care comprehensive was passed into law. This report is meant to shade light on how the health care system can be transformed so as to achieve promising results in nursing practice (IOM, 2010). Specifically the report demonstrates the strategies that can be employed to realize a transformation in nursing education, practice as well as leadership as discussed hereinafter.
Nursing education entails efforts employed during preparation for the nurses` next generation. This is a practice that should be done efficiently in order to guarantee patients of continued quality care. Regarding the U.S system of health care and practice, the report necessitates a transformation process on nursing education for the realization of nursing vision (ION, 2013). Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), for instance, require educational programs which prepare them for responsibilities in preventive care, acute care as well as long term health care, and other specialties in various health settings (Boore and Denny, 2012).
Nurses must achieve higher educational levels and training. This can be realized via an educational system that encourages a smooth academic progression. A great number of undergraduate nurses will be required to join the workforce with a bachelor`s degree. Different programs and models of education can be used to achieve this including traditional RN to BSN and collaborations that enhance smooth AND to BSN transitions. Regarding the graduate nursing education, there is need for a significant increase in the numbers of graduate nurses and the preparation of the faculty of nursing and doctorate scholars. The need for establishment, maintenance and expansion of new expertise through the education and career of nurses is vital. Through a transformed educational process, nurses will be prepared well to hold their responsibilities collaboratively and efficiently with other practitioners. They will function effectively in a complex and constantly evolving health care system in various environments. (Black, 2013).
The healthcare system in the current century is experiencing a great change. The health practitioners are discovering novel ways of offering patient oriented care while focusing on delivery of preventive care (Kunic and Jackson, 2013). The IOM report affirms the need for a transformation in the nursing practice particularly in the preventive health care services. For many years, the health care system of the U.S has been attending to injuries and acute illnesses. This presented the predominant challenges of health experienced during the early 20th century. The 21st century is experiencing a dramatic shift the in challenges. Increase in cases of chronic conditions, more population of aging people, diversified population and health disparities are now the new challenges seen to affect the health care system in future (IOM, 2010; Munro and Savel, 2011).
The focus of the health care system in the U.S is being shifted from the specialty and acute care to preventive health care. The need for the change of focus directed towards provision of primary health care services is with respect to increase case of chronic diseases; preventive care, including transitional care as well as coordinated care; wellness and inauspicious events like nosocomial infections (IOM, 2010). There are three main concerns in deliver of preventive care including quality, value and access care. This report states that the need for provision of quality healthcare requires fundamental knowledge of care processes and systems, equipment design and structure of the health care organization.
As a practicing nurse, I need to adopt the patient-oriented approach to as to enhance the delivery of quality primary care. I will also ensure the use application of evidenced based practices in various health care settings. This is because, changes in nursing care will also focus on innovations that are of high value for provision of patient centered care that is less costly. Transformation of nursing care, therefore, will not only result in quality care, but rather health care services that are readily accessible and less costly (IOM, 2010).
Nurses offer a vital voice and a perspective for management practices as well as policy discussions. The IOM (2001) report advocates for a strong leadership in nursing. This kind of leadership is fundamental for the realization of the vision of nursing in future. There is need for preparation of nurses who will help lead the enhancements in the quality, safety, value and access to health care services.
Every nurse must adopt good leadership skills in the areas of design, evaluation and implementation of, and also advocacy for the system reforms that are necessary for a better field of nursing in future. They should pass through leadership and mentorship programs for nurses and participate in the process of making policies. The leadership skills and expertise will be a requirement for full partnership with physicians, other clinicians, philanthropists, business owners, and general public and elected officials. This partnership will be relevant in redesigning and reforming efforts across the U.S health care system. Full partnership of nurses surpasses all the nursing profession levels. Practicing good leadership skills and being in full partnership transforms in a broader way to the arena of health policies. Nurses will thus have the capability to shape nursing policies and develop. Through this way nurses will be seen as efficient in reconceptualized duties and also recognized as leaders (Black, 2013).
In conclusion, the report is seen to contain useful recommendations, which if implemented well, transformations will be realized in various fields of nursing. Nurses will be able to put their knowledge and training in practice after the achievement of higher educational levels, through improved education systems. They will also become full partners with other relevant professionals to enhance delivery of quality care. They will be accepted as leaders, and they will effectively plan and make policies in nursing (IOM, 2010).
References
Black, B.P. (2013). Professional Nursing: Concepts and Challenges. Melbourne: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Boore, J., & Deeny, P. (2012). Nursing Education: Planning and Delivering the Curriculum. New York: SAGE.
Institute of Medicine. (2010). The future of nursing: Leading Change Advancing Health. Washington. The National Academic Press.
Kunic, R.J., & Jackson, D. (2013). Transforming Nursing Practice: Barriers and Solutions. AORN Journal 98(3): 235-248.
Munro, C.L., & Savel, R.H. (2011). Critical Care and the Future of Nursing. American Journal of Critical Care 20(3):188-190.
