Adapting Nursing Roles: Education and Practice in Modern Healthcare

This essay discusses the evolving roles of nurses in the context of modern healthcare challenges, particularly in light of the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) 2010 report. It emphasizes the necessity for nurses to practice to the full extent of their education, become full partners with other healthcare professionals, and achieve higher levels of training. The report's impact on nursing education and leadership is examined, highlighting opportunities for BSN-prepared nurses to engage in continuous learning and skill development. The increasing demands of an aging population and the significance of professional development in maintaining career satisfaction and quality patient care are also addressed. The essay concludes by underscoring the vital role nurses play in effectively managing patient care through partnership, skill development, and a focus on patient-centered approaches.

Running head: NURSING
Nursing
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author’s note

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The health care system is challenged by new challenges like ageing population and
complexities in the delivery of care. The main purpose of this paper is to understand the new
roles that a nurse needs to take today as per the message of the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM)
2010 report. The thesis statement for the paper is ‘Evolution of nursing skill set is necessary to
achieve current health demands.
Summary of the four messages outlined in the IOM report and significant to nursing
practice:
The Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) 2010 report outlined four messages for nursing
practice. This included nurse should practice to the full extent of their education, nurses should
be full partners with other health care professionals in redesigning health care system, nurses
should achieve high level of training and effective workforce planning and policy making is
needed for better data collection. These message are important it provides future nurse the
opportunity to understand key skills that is needed to overcome challenges and meet demands of
health care. Practicing to the full extent will allow nurses to develop skills and provide high
standards of care. In addition, achieving higher level of education is necessary for nurse to
manage chronic illness and enhance the effectiveness of care. Advancing to higher degree
program is also important for career advancement and management of complex cases in health
and community setting. The third message of being full partners with physicians is critical for
nurses to assume the leadership role in the future and develop the capacity to deliver patient-
centered care. Good collaboration with other professional team enhances the likelihood of
minimizing errors and transforming the health care environment. In addition, improved
infrastructure and data collection is important so that systematic assessment of patient is done
and all workforce needs are fulfilled (IOM (Institute of Medicine), 2011).

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Impact of the IOM report on nursing education and nursing leadership:
The messages and recommendations proposed in the IOM report is likely to have direct
impact on nursing education and nursing leadership. This is because the report provides many
useful directions for nurses to pursue education and engage in continued learning even after
enrollment in health care setting. The IOM’s recommendation of achieving higher level of
education through improved education system is likely to strengthen the nursing curriculum and
lead to transformation of the nursing education. Due to gaps in nursing education, many newly
placed nurses struggle to apply theories in real practice based setting (Whitehead et al., 2016).
However, the IOM’s report will create opportunity to transform education and transform
smoothly from academic world to diverse practice setting. In addition, the direct impact of the
IOM report of nursing leadership is that it will empower nurses and allow them to adapt new
styles in leadership role. By being full partners in care, nurses can develop their leadership
competencies and actively take decisions for the recovery of patients (Frankel & PGCMS, 2019).
The benefits and opportunities that a BSN-prepared nurse can get after the
implementation of the IOM’s recommendation is that they can proactively get involved in
continued learning, skill development and career progression. By embracing a transformed
education system, they will be more confident in handling complex cases in care. Being in full
partnership with care professional during decision making will also prepared nurse in taking on
the leadership role. Hence, BSN prepared nurses would get plethora of opportunities to
revolutionize nursing practice in diverse setting.
Importance of evolution of nurse’s role and education:

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The rise in ageing population is one major issue that has placed huge burden on the health
care system and increases the complexities involved in care. As the life expectancy of people are
increasing, the chances of older adults experiencing deterioration in physical and mental health is
also increasing. Hence, this demands the nurse to have additional skills in providing the best
geriatric care as well as handling other complex needs of patient. As the demand of long-term
will increase, evolution of the nurse’s role and education will be critical to meet new challenges
in the health care setting. Developing new skills sets and transforming education will be
important to best meet the needs of an aging population. Innovative nursing education programs
will give the opportunity to train the next generation of nurse with new expertise to handle issues
of the elderly patients. By focusing on skill development of nurses, the health care system could
pave way for a better health of the aging population (Rowe, Fulmer & Fried, 2016).
Significance of professional development:
The significance of professional development or life-long learning is realized because of
the advantage of providing health care professionals with the opportunity to match their skills
with new demands within the health care system. Life long learning also provides nurses with the
opportunity to engage in evidence based practice and meet the goal of quality improvement
during care deliver. It is an opportunity for new nurses to acquire new competencies and advance
professional practice and increase the likelihood of achieving career goals. With the increase in
diversities within the health care system, continuing professional development is critical to
career satisfaction and quality patient care. Introducing the provisions of training and education
can have useful implications in patient care, retention and recruitment too (Price & Reichert,
2017).

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Role of nurses in effectively managing patient care:
As nurses are in the front line while delivering care to patient, they play a vital role in
managing health issues of patient. As the health care system is evolving, it has become even
more important for nurses to actively participate in care delivery. A nurse can assist in an
evolving practice environment by entering into partnership with other health care staff and
proposing their ideas too while taking nursing decisions. Nurses can also assist by paying extra
effort to develop new skills and identify holistic care needs of patient. Incorporation of current
care models and taking the leadership role will also be important to identify nursing errors, any
malpractice or risk to patient. By engaging in coordinated care, they can play a role in making
health care service more accessible and reducing waiting time. By focusing on patient centered
care, care coordination and quality improvement, nurses can assist in meeting the needs of
diverse patient group. New and enhanced skills set will assist nurses in acquiring new roles in an
evolving health care system (Salmond & Echevarria, 2017).

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References:
Frankel, A., & PGCMS, R. (2019). What leadership styles should senior nurses
develop?. Hospital, 3, 56.
IOM (Institute of Medicine) 2011. "The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing
Health”. Retrieved from: https://www.ic4n.org/wp-content/uploads/.../The-Future-of-
Nursing-Report-2010.pdf
Price, S., & Reichert, C. (2017). The importance of continuing professional development to
career satisfaction and patient care: Meeting the needs of novice to mid-to late-career
nurses throughout their career span. Administrative Sciences, 7(2), 17.
Rowe, J. W., Fulmer, T., & Fried, L. (2016). Preparing for better health and health care for an
aging population. Jama, 316(16), 1643-1644.
Salmond, S. W., & Echevarria, M. (2017). Healthcare transformation and changing roles for
nursing. Orthopedic nursing, 36(1), 12.
Whitehead, B., Owen, P., Henshaw, L., Beddingham, E., & Simmons, M. (2016). Supporting
newly qualified nurse transition: A case study in a UK hospital. Nurse education
today, 36, 58-63.