Future of nursing

The Future of Nursing The Future of Nursing According to IOM, nurses should have the chance to practice their full potential and extent according to their education levels. Nurses are required to provide high quality patient centered medical care, and better preparation and training will determine the quality of care given. Highly educated nurses provide high health care, which reduces the mortality rates in acute cases (IOM, 2010). Nursing care has been extended to home based patients and nurses should have the ability to perform admission assessments. This will identify patients requiring hospitalization and those in need of home care services. Increasing educational levels of nursing and continuous training will provide highly qualified nurses in the hospitals. This training will enable them acquire lifelong skills required when handling future developments within the health department.
IOM proposes the amendment of requirements for hospital participation in medical provision programs. Collaboration between nurses and other physicians is required during research and improvement of the health care environment (Ridge, 2011). It will oversee the implementation of the recommendations by the government and other bodies involved. This includes the provision of advanced research models that will provide innovative solutions in the health care provision system. The institute has to strive to empower nurses to further their education and engage in continuous learning activities. Nurses require empowerment through the institute in order to lead the changes required for the provision of advanced health care. The standardization of data collection by licensing boards requires contribution from IOM.
The most important point made during the briefing was the proposed increase of nurses with baccalaureate degrees to 80 percent by 2020 (IOM, 2010). This will add to the number of highly qualified nurses who can provide health care services in hospitals and homes. The number of patients who require health services is increasing rapidly and these patients require different health services. This in turn requires a diversified workforce of trained nurses who have the appropriate skills to cater for the patients. Collaboration between education institutions, funding agencies, and employers is required in order to provide necessary training to student nurses. Creating a learning culture within health facilities will encourage nurses to further their education in order to meet the required percentage.
The congress has to amend the Medicare program to authorize nurses to perform admission assessment. An amendment is also required for governing participation in the Medicare program by various hospitals. Insurance companies that cover federal employees have to expand their services to advanced registered nurses. States require laws that allow registered nurses to practice health care for patients in all circumstances within their qualifications. Laws governing the extent to which nurses can participate in research and manufacture of products are also necessary. Nursing residency especially in rural areas requires serious scrutiny to ensure fairness during to all rural areas. The education department and other funding agents require criteria to be followed when funding nurses to further their education. This will reduce favoritism and irregular dispatch of educational funds (Ridge, 2011).
Nurses have to take responsibility for their personal and professional growth through continuous learning. Leadership skills are required in order to give nurses the lead in the provision of advanced health care. Enrollment into mentoring programs, leadership training workshops, and engaging in business activities will provide the necessary skills. These skills are also required in board meetings and other leadership positions set aside for nurses.
References
IOM. (2010). Public report Briefing Video. From http://www. iom. edu/Activities/Workforce/Nursing/2010-OCT-05. aspx  [Accessed on June 27, 2012].
Ridge, R. (2011). Future of nursing special: practicing to potential. Nursing management, 42, 32-37.