¶ … Antecedents and Importance of the IOM Report, "Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health" In an era of widespread nursing shortages, identifying opportunities to improve nurse practice, nursing education and nursing workforce development has assumed new importance and relevance. To this end, this paper provides a discussion concerning the work of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Committee Initiative on the Future of Nursing and the Institute of Medicine research that led to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, "Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health." A discussion concerning the importance of the IOM "Future of Nursing" report related to nursing practice, nursing education and nursing workforce development is followed by an evaluation of the role of state-based action coalitions and how they advance goals of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action. In addition, a summary of two initiatives that have been spearheaded by the Oklahoma Action Coalition and analysis of what ways these initiatives advance the nursing profession is followed by an examination of the barriers to advancement that currently exist and ways that these barriers can be overcome. Finally, a summary of the research and important findings concerning these issues are provided in the conclusion.

Discussion concerning the work of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Committee Initiative on the Future of Nursing and the Institute...

The Future of Nursing report provided several key findings, including the need for continuing education for nurses and partnerships with allied health care professionals (McNeal, 2012).
The importance of the IOM "Future of Nursing" report related to nursing practice, nursing education and nursing workforce development

The "Future of Nursing" report identified a number of trends that have affected nursing practice that will require nursing professionals to become better educated and trained in the future. One of the most significant trends in this regard is the rapidly aging population, and the elderly segment of the population (i.e., 65 years and older) will account for almost 20% of the population in the United States by 2030 (The future of nursing, 2010). In addition, the IOM report highlighted the changes in healthcare needs that have taken place in recent years, with chronic conditions such as arthritis, hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease representing the most…