The Influence of the IOM Report on Nursing Practice
1. Summarize the four messages outlined in the IOM report and explain why these are significant to nursing practice.
2. Discuss the direct influence the IOM report has on nursing education and nursing leadership. Describe the benefits and opportunities for BSN-prepared nurses.
3. Explain why it is important that a nurse’s role and education evolve to meet the needs of an aging and increasingly diverse population.
4. Discuss the significance of professional development, or lifelong learning, and its relevance in caring for diverse populations across the life span and within the health-illness continuum.
5. Discuss how nurses can assist in effectively managing patient care within an evolving health care system.
Sample Answer
The Influence of the IOM Report on Nursing Practice
The IOM report was developed with the intention of supporting efforts directed towards improving health care in the United States. The reports make various recommendations in different areas of the healthcare industry. The discussion of the paper seeks to summarize the four messages as stated in the report, the direct impact of the report on nursing education and leadership, benefits gained and opportunities presented for BSN-prepared nurses, the importance of nurse’s role and education evolving to meet needs of an aged and diverse population, the importance of lifelong learning and how nurses can aid in effective management of patient care in the evolving health care system.
Summarize the Four Messages Outlined in the IOM Report and Explain Why These Are Significant to Nursing Practice
The Institute of Medicine released a report in October 2010, in which it offered recommendations aiming to support efforts directed towards improving the health care for the U.S. population. The report outlines four main issues. The first message of the report states that nurses are to practice to the full extent of their education and training (American Hospital Association, 2021). With the increased demand for healthcare and shortage of healthcare professionals, there is a need to increase nurses’ scope. The scope of nursing practice is regulated by various regulations. The message can address policy-related barriers. The second message states that nurses need to attain high levels of training, which is to be achieved through an improved education system with the capacity to provide and promote seamless academic progression (American Hospital Association, 2021). The message is significant to nursing practice since changes in the health care system and changes in the complex needs of the population alter the role of nurses to meet new demands and needs. Higher education and training equips nurses with the necessary knowledge and competencies to meet the demanding nature healthcare industry.
The third message advocates for nurses to be full partners with other healthcare professionals and physicians. The message is significant to nursing practice as it enhances collaboration in healthcare. The need to provide patients with comprehensive care has increased the need for collaboration between healthcare professionals through increased communication and data sharing. The final message of the report is concerned with effective workforce planning and policymaking, which according to the report, requires better data collection and establishment of information infrastructure (American Hospital Association, 2021). The message is significant to the nursing practice as it cultivates a culture that supports decision-making based on evidence. Management and administrators need to have effective workforce planning for proper management of the workforce in terms of staff ratios and working hours. This has implications on job satisfaction workforce retainment.
Direct Influence, the IOM Report, Has on Nursing Education and Nursing Leadership
The report emphasizes the importance of nursing leadership by stating that nurses must advance and develop leadership competencies and be allowed to serve as full partners in collaboration and partnership with other healthcare professionals and physicians. Being full partners with physicians transcends not only to the care environment but also to the health policy arena. The report has an influence on the voice of nurses, especially in decision making, with nurses having a greater impact on policymaking. Nursing education has become embedded with leadership-related competencies. Nurses are currently undertaking continuous learning through their practice to improve their competencies. Nurses are more involved in decision-making in clinical settings and other levels.
Benefits and Opportunities for BSN-Prepared Nurses
The IOM report highlighted the positive impact on health care outcomes linked to BSN-prepared nurses as they are linked to better patient outcomes. The report had predicted an increase of nurses holding BSN from 50 to 80% (Altman et al., 2016). BSN-prepared nurses have various benefits, such as higher levels of knowledge and competencies required in delivering care. They have increased opportunities due to higher competencies and a wide range of skills, including research skills. The BSN-prepared nurses also benefit from the salary differential, tuition reimbursement, and promotions. The IOM reasoned that such benefits for BSN nurses would motivate other nurses to pursue the BSN program.
