IOM Future of Nursing Recommendations When it

IOM Future of Nursing Recommendations

When it comes to the transformation of healthcare in our country, the role of nurses cannot be overstated. The IOM future of nursing recommendations highlight the steps or measures that should to be taken to further enhance the role of nurses in the said transformation going forward.

A Nurse's Place in the IOM Future of Nursing Recommendations

Increase the Proportion of Nurses with a Baccalaureate Degree to 80% by 2020

IOM (2010) in this case identifies the need for academic nurse leaders to collaborate so as "to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree from 50 to 80% by 2020." In this case, nurses are effectively given a goal they can also strive to achieve. This is more so the case given that going forward, employers are more likely to insist that new hires possess a baccalaureate. A baccalaureate will equip nurses with the necessary skills required to perform in complex clinical situations.

Recommendation 5: Double the Number of Nurses with a Doctorate by 2020

The key intention of this recommendation is "to add to the cadre of nurse faculty and researchers, with attention to increasing diversity" (IOM, 2010). This will enable nurses to fully partner with other health professionals including but not limited to physicians. The recommendation thus gives nurses yet another reason to enhance their knowledge as well as skills so as to be of greater relevance in the practice arena.

Recommendation 6: Ensure that Nurses Engage in Lifelong Learning

In seeking to enhance their ability to deliver services that are up-to-date, nurses seem to have recognized the relevance of lifelong learning/continuing education (Roussel, 2011). Lifelong learning will enable nurses to stay current by ensuring that their knowledge as well as skills remains relevant in a fast-paced nursing environment. This will see nurses continue to play an important role towards the continued improvement of the country's health and well-being. It should however be noted that when it comes to lifelong learning, the full commitment of nurses is critical.

2. Nurses' Level of Education and their Options in the Job Market

Increasing the Level of Education for Nurses: Impact on Competition in the Current Job Market

Nurses wishing to remain relevant in the current job market will have to seriously consider furthering their education. As I have pointed out elsewhere in this text, it is likely that going forward; employers will start insisting that new hires have a baccalaureate. This is more so the case given the changing face of healthcare. More educated and skillful nurses comfortable with various intricate treatment levels are required now that ever before. Hence based on their ability to handle broader nursing roles, better educated nurses will in addition to being more competitive in the current job market also have a variety of career opportunities to choose from.

Increasing the Level of Education for Nurses: Impact on the Role of Nurses in the Future of Nursing