Introduction
Statistics by the Labor Bureau have projected a shortage of approximately one million registered nurses by 2020 with some Americans getting access to the coverage for healthcare and a population that is aging (Murray, 2014).
Raising Proportion of Nurses with Baccalaureate Degree to 80%
To fit this recommendation, I will need to be equipped with the knowledge needed to meet evolving health care needs. By achieving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I will be poised to attain levels of education that are higher at masters and doctoral degrees required for me to work as a researcher, care provider or in the nurse faculty. The BSN education will broaden my competencies in health care financing and health policy, public and community health, quality improvement, systems thinking as well as leadership. With the huge population of students interested in becoming nurses to help in alleviating stresses in the healthcare and the inadequacy of our nation’s fabric to handle the numbers, I will be in a position to be well-educated to engage in research and developing products that will improve the education system for nursing and hence a huge turnout of nurses from training.
Double the Number of Nurses with a Doctorate
Less than 1% of the nurses’ population possess a Ph.D., In light of the statistics, a shortfall is expected by 2020, therefore, the workforce will be significantly affected as the faculty ages out of the academic circles with limited ways of replacement of nurse teachers (Portal, 2015). To help in achieving this recommendation by the IOM, I will enroll in masters and later a doctoral program after graduating with my BSN. With the ultimate achievement of the doctoral degree, I will be available to educate the future nurses and therefore help in meeting the target of increasing nurses with PhDs in the future.
Lifelong Learning for Nurses
Institute of Medicine recommended that every individual in the nursing field should come together to create an atmosphere that encourages lifelong learning to help gain competencies required to avail care for populations that are diverse over their lifespan.(Murray, 2014) . To contribute towards this recommendation, I will be conducting meetings to discuss new procedures, devices, and drugs. I will make it my responsibility to ensure any new equipment in my surrounding is studied and well understood by my peers and me to prevent any patient harm. Attending and conducting seminars as well as participating in refresher programs will help the nurses that I reach to gain more knowledge and develop a learning habit as well and me. I will also develop a reading habit of nursing related material; it will help me increase my knowledge.
Advanced Education Level and Competence in the Nursing Career
Increasing my education level will increase my competence in the job market, for me to provide care that is high quality and to move up the ladder of the nursing career, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is essential. An advanced education level will help me practice in all settings of healthcare including mental health, public health, critical care as well as ambulatory care hence possessing employment flexibility that is great. Advancing will increase my ability to meet today’s complex demands of patient care.
Impact of Advanced Education in the Future of Nursing
Lastly, advancing in my education level will also help IOM’s target of increasing the number of competent nurses needed to meet either the care providers or the academic circle of the nursing faculty. I will be qualified enough as practicing nursing requires my knowledge in leadership, geriatrics, public health, health policy, research, and practice based on evidence as well as system improvements (Portal, 2015). Advancement will enable me to utilize information systems that are complex to improve the effectiveness and quality of care. It will also help me work in collaboration with various professionals in the healthcare system including pharmacists, social workers, and physical therapists.
Reference List
Murray, M. K. (2014). The nursing shortage: past, present, and future. Journal of Nursing Administration, 32(2), 79-84.
Portal, C. U. N. Y. (2015). Doubling the number of nurses with a doctorate by 2020: predicting the right amount or getting it right? Nursing Economics.
