In A Formal Paper Of 1000-1150 Words You Will Discuss The Wo
In A Formal Paper Of 1000 1150 Words You Will Discuss The Work Of Th
In a formal paper of 1,000-1,150 words, you will discuss the work of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Committee Initiative on the Future of Nursing and the Institute of Medicine research that led to the IOM report, "Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health." Identify the importance of the IOM "Future of Nursing" report related to nursing practice, nursing education, and nursing workforce development. What is the role of state-based action coalitions, and how do they advance the goals of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action? Explore the Campaign for Action webpage and review your state's progress report—Maryland—by locating your state and analyzing one of the six progress icons: education, leadership, practice, interpersonal collaboration, diversity, or data. Additionally, download the full progress report for Maryland.
In this paper, you will examine the historical and strategic context of the Future of Nursing initiative, focusing on how its recommendations transformed nursing practice, education, and workforce strategies. The IOM report, published in 2010, emphasized the necessity of removing barriers to practice, increasing the educational attainment of nurses, and broadening leadership roles in healthcare systems. These aspects are vital to addressing healthcare disparities, improving patient outcomes, and ensuring a resilient and competent nursing workforce.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) collaborated extensively to develop the Future of Nursing report, which aimed to provide a blueprint for meeting future healthcare demands through nursing. The IOM's comprehensive research involved stakeholder engagement, literature review, and analysis of barriers within health systems. The resulting report made key recommendations, including expanding opportunities for nurses to practice to the full extent of their education, increasing the number of nurses with baccalaureate degrees, and fostering leadership development among nurses.
The significance of the Future of Nursing report extends across several domains:
- Nursing Practice: The report advocates for removing scope-of-practice restrictions to enable nurses to provide more autonomous patient care, particularly in primary care settings, thus improving access and efficiency.
- Nursing Education: It emphasizes increasing the proportion of nurses with Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees and ensuring seamless pathways for nurses to attain higher education levels. The report promotes the integration of interprofessional education to better prepare nurses for collaborative practice.
- Nursing Workforce Development: The report calls for strategic investments in nursing leadership and lifelong learning opportunities and highlights the importance of a diverse nursing workforce to meet community needs effectively.
State-based action coalitions serve pivotal roles in translating national recommendations into local initiatives. These coalitions facilitate stakeholder collaboration among nurses, healthcare organizations, educational institutions, policymakers, and community members to implement strategies aligned with the Future of Nursing goals. They work to advance policy reform, expand educational opportunities, and promote practice environments conducive to nurse-led innovations.
The Campaign for Action—an initiative of RWJF and AARP—supports these coalitions by providing resources, fostering policy advocacy, and promoting best practices. Their efforts ensure that local activities contribute to statewide and national health improvements. In Maryland, the action coalition has advanced several initiatives:
- Expansion of Nursing Practice Acts: Maryland’s coalition led efforts to revise scope-of-practice regulations, allowing advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to practice independently, thereby expanding access to primary care services, especially in underserved areas.
- Development of Interprofessional Education Programs: The coalition spearheaded initiatives to promote collaborative practice environments through interprofessional education, preparing nurses, physicians, and other health professionals to work cohesively for improved patient outcomes.
These initiatives elevate the nursing profession by increasing provider availability, enhancing the quality of care, and fostering leadership development. They also support the healthcare system's shift toward patient-centered, team-based care models.
Despite these advancements, barriers persist in Maryland. These include restrictive scope-of-practice laws for APRNs, limited funding for statewide education programs, and systemic challenges like workforce shortages in rural and underserved communities. Nursing advocates can overcome these barriers through strategic policy advocacy, public awareness campaigns, and forging alliances with lawmakers and community stakeholders to demonstrate the value of expanded nursing roles and increased funding for education and practice initiatives.
In conclusion, the Future of Nursing report and the associated state efforts exemplify a comprehensive approach to transforming healthcare through enhanced nursing practice, education, and leadership. Maryland’s initiatives serve as a model for how local coalitions can adapt national recommendations to meet specific community needs, ultimately improving healthcare access, quality, and equity. Continued advocacy and strategic collaborations are vital for overcoming existing barriers and ensuring that the nursing workforce is prepared to meet future health challenges effectively.
References
- Institute of Medicine. (2010). The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. The National Academies Press.
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (n.d.). Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action. https://campaignforaction.org
- Maryland Action Coalition. (2023). Maryland’s Progress Report. https://www.marylandhealth.gov/nursingprogress
- Carr, S., & Hart, P. (2015). Nursing scope of practice laws, nurse-led clinics, and access to primary care. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 6(3), 45–50.
- Bean, J. A., & Smolinski, M. (2017). Advancing nursing education: Impact of interprofessional collaboration. Journal of Nursing Education, 56(4), 181–185.
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2020). The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice. AACN Publications.
- Reid, S., & Hevia, K. (2018). Policy changes and nursing practice: Barriers and facilitators. Nursing Outlook, 66(2), 153–161.
- Chism, L. A. (2019). Transforming Nursing Education and Practice. Springer Publishing Company.
- National League for Nursing. (2021). Advancing Nursing Practice Through Policy. NLN Press.
- Fitzpatrick, J. J., & Bickley, L. S. (2020). Leadership strategies for nurses in policy change. Nursing Leadership, 33(2), 12–17.