The IOM Future of Nursing Report, released in 2011, is a landmark document that outlines a vision for the future of nursing. The report was developed by a committee of experts convened by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), now known as the Health and Medicine Division (HMD) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The report’s goal is to “transform the nursing profession to meet the needs of the 21st century.”
The report’s key findings and recommendations include:
- Education: The report calls for 80% of nurses to have a baccalaureate degree by 2020. It also recommends that nurses have access to lifelong learning opportunities.
- Practice: The report recommends that nurses be able to practice to the full extent of their education and training. It also calls for nurses to be more involved in leadership and decision-making.
- Workforce: The report projects that the demand for nurses will grow by 22% between 2010 and 2020. It also identifies a number of challenges to the nursing workforce, including an aging workforce and a shortage of nurse educators.
- Research: The report calls for nurses to play a greater role in research. It also recommends that nurses be given more opportunities to conduct research and to translate research into practice.
- Policy: The report calls for policymakers to support the recommendations in the report. It also recommends that nurses become more involved in policymaking and advocacy.
Education
The report’s recommendations for education are based on the recognition that nurses play a critical role in delivering high-quality care. Nurses with baccalaureate degrees have been shown to have better patient outcomes, and they are more likely to be involved in research and leadership.
The report also recognizes that nurses need to have access to lifelong learning opportunities in order to keep up with the changing healthcare landscape. This includes opportunities for nurses to pursue graduate degrees and to participate in continuing education programs.
Practice
The report’s recommendations for practice are based on the belief that nurses should be able to practice to the full extent of their education and training. This means that nurses should be able to provide a full range of services, including diagnosing and treating patients, prescribing medication, and managing care plans.
The report also calls for nurses to be more involved in leadership and decision-making. Nurses have a unique perspective on the healthcare system, and they can play a valuable role in developing and implementing solutions to improve care.
Workforce
The report’s recommendations for the workforce are based on the recognition that the demand for nurses is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. This growth is being driven by a number of factors, including the aging population, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and the expansion of access to healthcare.
To meet the growing demand for nurses, the report recommends that we take steps to attract and retain more nurses, and to prepare more nurse educators. This includes strategies such as increasing funding for nursing education, providing tuition reimbursement for nurses who pursue advanced degrees, and making it easier for international nurses to work in the United States.
Research
The report’s recommendations for research are based on the belief that nurses play a critical role in advancing the science of nursing and healthcare. Nurses are in a unique position to identify research questions and to conduct research that is relevant to the needs of patients and their families.
The report also recognizes that nurses need to be given more opportunities to conduct research and to translate research into practice. This includes providing funding for nursing research, creating opportunities for nurses to mentor other nurses in research, and making it easier for nurses to publish their research findings.
Policy
The report’s recommendations for policy are based on the belief that policymakers need to support the changes that are needed to transform the nursing profession. Policymakers can do this by providing funding for nursing education, research, and workforce development. They can also create policies that promote the full utilization of nurses’ skills and knowledge.
The report also calls for nurses to become more involved in policymaking and advocacy. Nurses can advocate for their patients and for the profession by contacting their elected officials, testifying at public hearings.
Conclusion
The IOM Future of Nursing Report is a visionary document that outlines a path for improving the quality of healthcare and the health of the American people. The report’s recommendations are ambitious, but they are achievable. Nurses have a critical role to play in implementing the report’s recommendations.
Implications for the Future of Nursing and Healthcare
The IOM Future of Nursing Report has the potential to have a significant impact on the future of nursing and healthcare. If the report’s recommendations are implemented, nurses will be able to play a more important role in delivering high-quality care, improving the health of the population, and shaping the future of healthcare.
The report’s recommendations on education have the potential to transform the nursing profession. If more nurses have baccalaureate degrees and access to lifelong learning opportunities, they will be better prepared to meet the needs of patients and to advance the science of nursing.
The report’s recommendations on practice have the potential to improve the quality of healthcare. If nurses are able to practice to the full extent of their education and training, they will be able to provide a more comprehensive range of services and to better manage the care of patients.
The report’s recommendations on the workforce have the potential to address the shortage of nurses. If we take steps to attract and retain more nurses, and to prepare more nurse educators, we will be able to ensure that there are enough nurses to meet the growing demand for their services.
The report’s recommendations on research have the potential to advance the science of nursing and healthcare. If nurses are given more opportunities to conduct research and to translate research into practice, we will be able to improve the quality and effectiveness of care.
The report’s recommendations on policy have the potential to create a more supportive environment for nurses and to promote the full utilization of their skills and knowledge. If policymakers support the recommendations in the report, we will be able to create a healthcare system that is better able to meet the needs of the American people.
What Can Nurses Do to Implement the IOM Future of Nursing Report?
Nurses have a critical role to play in implementing the IOM Future of Nursing Report. Here are a few things that nurses can do:
- Continue to pursue education and training. Nurses need to have the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the needs of patients and to advance the science of nursing.
- Advocate for their patients and for the profession. Nurses can advocate for their patients by contacting their elected officials, testifying at public hearings, and participating in other civic activities.
- Become involved in research. Nurses can become involved in research by conducting their own research studies, participating in research studies conducted by others, and translating research findings into practice.
- Mentor other nurses. Nurses can mentor other nurses by sharing their knowledge and experience, and by supporting them in their career development.
