Researching The Practice of Change
The practice of nursing is ever changing and to ensure that we are prepared to receive these changes we must learn to adjust along with it. To better understand the how to assist nursing staff and administrative policies on providing nurses with more autonomous roles The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) conducted a study in 2010 to provide a report with would make action-oriented interventions. The restriction of health care legislation has created difficult barriers for nurses to respond effectively to these rapid changes in the health care system and limits our ability advance along with it. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the impact of the report produced by the IOM on nursing practice, education, and leadership.
IOM Key Points
The Institute of Medicine (IOM), now known as the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), is a non-profit organization that uses evidence based research to provide public health and scientific recommendations. Four key observation/recommendations were made in the research conducted by the IOM (2010) in their report: The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. Those four observations are as followed:
1. Nurses should practice to the fullest extent of their education and training.
2. Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression.
3. Nurses should be full partners, with physicians and other health care professionals, in redesigning health care in the United States.
4. Effective workforce planning and policy making require better data collection and an improved information infrastructure.
The purpose of introducing these observations and providing their recommendations to fulfill them will ultimately assist in the expanding a nurse’s extent in which they may provide care and promote overall wellness. If placed into practice these recommendations will ultimately transform nursing education, influence practice, and create better leaders. Considering that the field of nursing is the largest area of employment of the health care system, making systemic changes can alter and improve both better patient outcomes and job satisfaction.
Benefits in Nursing Education
On an educational standpoint the four previously mentioned observations would provide a great benefit to nursing academics. It would acknowledge all levels of education in all 50 states which would increase the overall competency levels by subjecting all students to the same requirements and standards. Promoting these views would also encourage higher levels of education with an emphasis on knowledge for patient care and outcomes rather than focusing on a biased academic point system. Lastly, focusing on providing a work environment for new nurses we would decrease high turnover rates by shortening the gap between their experience, expectations placed from other and their work environments, and provide a more comfort in an already stress filled work environment.
Practice
It is understood throughout all levels of nursing education that there are limitations in our practice. Theses limitations are not only discerned by our level of practice (e.g. Registered Nurse, License Nurse Practitioner etc.), but also by the State in which we practice. Allowing a licensed nurse to practice at their level of education regardless of where they reside may also attract more experienced nurses into other parts of the country without risk of decreasing their vitality.
Leadership
Leadership qualities are not a genetic trait, but rather a skill that is developed through practice and experience. Incorporating the suggestions provided by the IOM would significantly increase higher opportunities for nurses off all backgrounds to have more control and influence in their practice. By allowing nursing to provide care throughout the United States at the level in which we are educated it may promote altruism and autonomy. Whether it is in a specific area of nursing practice, educational system, or generalized clinical care nurses would be empowered to make changes in their abilities by having more control over the legislation that governs their practice. By putting the power back into the hands that heal we as a society ultimately gain through improved patient care, increased numbers in mid-level practitioners, and giving out patients a better quality of life with higher patient outcomes.
Making IOM Personal Goals
If given the opportunity I would immediately begin to incorporate the recommendations provided by the IOM into my practice. I would first begin with having my education match my practice. I would do so by speaking with my employer on how to ignite change into our facility by encouraging all of our Emergency Department employees to strive for higher educational goals by becoming proficient in all aspects from reading electrocardiograms to understanding the pathophysiology of medications prior to administration. I would also encourage a more diverse environment that reflects our patient population. Patients will be more perceptive to instructional care if given the opportunity to feel comfortable in a hospital setting that reflects their natural environment. Lastly, I would elicit change begging with myself. I would become an active participant in my own future as a nurse, woman, and leader by completing my BSN, take up leadership roles in my department, and learn how to promote change from a managerial position.
Conclusion