NRS 440VN Trends and Issues in Today’s Healthcare - Grand Canyon

The course “NRS 440VN: Trends and Issues in Today’s Healthcare” offered by Grand Canyon University examines the evolving landscape of nursing within the context of modern healthcare. It focuses on critical issues such as healthcare delivery models, nursing roles in healthcare reform, and the impact of policy changes on patient care. Students explore topics like accountable care organizations (ACOs), nurse-managed clinics, and the importance of continuous education for professional growth. Through this course, nurses gain insights into their expanding roles and how they can adapt to the future needs of healthcare systems.

NRS 440VN Implementation of the IOM Future of Nursing Report

This paper discusses the significant work of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Committee Initiative on the Future of Nursing and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. The report emphasizes the need for the nursing profession to evolve in response to the changing healthcare environment.

The report’s recommendations target three critical areas:

Nursing Practice: The report urges that nurses be allowed to practice to the full extent of their education and training. This is crucial as the healthcare system grows more complex, especially in primary care and community health. Expanding nurses’ roles will help meet patient needs, reduce wait times, and improve outcomes.
Nursing Education: The IOM report stresses the importance of advancing nursing education. The goal is to increase the number of nurses with bachelor’s and advanced degrees to improve the quality of patient care. This includes fostering a culture of lifelong learning, which equips nurses to meet future challenges.
Nursing Workforce Development: The report calls for strategies to develop a more diverse nursing workforce and equip nurses with leadership skills. Initiatives like leadership training and mentorship programs are essential for empowering nurses to contribute to healthcare decisions and policy changes.

Role of State-Based Action Coalitions

State-based action coalitions, created as part of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, are vital to achieving these goals. These coalitions consist of diverse stakeholders such as healthcare providers, educators, and policymakers. They work to advance nursing education, remove practice barriers, and foster leadership within the profession.

Through partnerships with government entities, educational institutions, and the private sector, state action coalitions aim to enact changes that allow nurses to practice more freely and achieve leadership roles. Their efforts include advocating for policy reforms, such as allowing nurse practitioners to practice without physician oversight and promoting diversity in the profession.

State Action Coalition Initiatives and Challenges

Examining the initiatives of your state’s action coalition reveals progress in enhancing nursing education and leadership opportunities. One example could be efforts to create more residency programs for nursing graduates, which are critical for bridging the gap between education and practice. Another initiative might be leadership development programs aimed at preparing nurses for executive roles in healthcare organizations.

However, many states face challenges such as legislative barriers that limit nurses’ ability to practice independently or a lack of resources for advanced education. For example, in some states, nurses are still required to have a physician’s oversight even though they are trained to provide high-quality care independently. These barriers can hinder progress in rural or underserved areas.

Overcoming Barriers

To overcome these barriers, advocacy efforts from nursing leaders, organizations, and educational institutions are crucial. Strong engagement with policymakers can lead to legislative reforms that expand the scope of practice for nurses and promote access to advanced education.

Additionally, supporting initiatives that encourage diversity in the nursing workforce is essential. A more diverse workforce leads to better patient outcomes, as it allows nurses to provide culturally competent care. Nurses from underrepresented backgrounds should have access to educational opportunities and leadership roles to advance the profession further.

Conclusion

The RWJF Committee and IOM report, Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, underscores the critical role nurses play in the healthcare system. Their recommendations for improving nursing practice, education, and leadership are essential for addressing the challenges in healthcare today.

State-based action coalitions are at the forefront of this effort, working to implement these recommendations at the local level. By advocating for legislative changes, increasing leadership opportunities, and promoting diversity, action coalitions can advance the nursing profession and improve patient outcomes.

In conclusion, the future of nursing depends on continuous efforts to empower nurses through education, leadership, and removing barriers to practice. These efforts will ensure that nurses remain key contributors to healthcare reform and innovation.

References

American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (3rd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: Nursesbooks.org.

Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative on the Future of Nursing, at the Institute of Medicine. (2011). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2019). Campaign for action: State action coalitions. https://campaignforaction.org/states/

NRS-440VN Week 2: Evolving Practice of Nursing and Patient Care Delivery Models

As the U.S. healthcare system undergoes restructuring, nurses are expected to play an increasingly important role. More nursing jobs will shift to community settings, with fewer in acute care hospitals.

For this assignment, create an informal presentation (500-700 words) to educate nurses on the anticipated growth and changes in nursing practice. Discuss concepts such as continuity of care, accountable care organizations (ACOs), medical homes, and nurse-managed clinics. Afterward, share your presentation with nurse colleagues and collect their feedback on the anticipated healthcare changes and the evolving roles of nurses in various settings, including hospitals, communities, clinics, and medical homes.

Next, write an 800-1,000-word summary of the feedback gathered from three nurse colleagues. Compare their impressions with your research on healthcare reform. A minimum of three scholarly references is required. While the body of the assignment does not need to follow APA format, strong academic writing is expected, and in-text citations should adhere to APA documentation guidelines.

NRS-440VN Week 3: Reflection Paper

For this week’s assignment, reflect on your future role in nursing in light of the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) recommendations. In 450-600 words, discuss how you see yourself fitting into the following IOM recommendations:

Increase the proportion of nurses with baccalaureate degrees to 80% by 2020.
Double the number of nurses with doctorates by 2020.
Engage in lifelong learning.

Consider your career options based on your current educational level. Reflect on how advancing your education can improve your competitiveness in the job market and impact your future role in nursing. While APA format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is essential, and references should follow APA guidelines.

NRS-440VN Week 4: CLC – Pros and Cons of Mandatory Continuing Nursing Education

This assignment is a Collaborative Learning Community (CLC) project. In your group, develop a PowerPoint presentation (10-15 slides) comparing the advantages and disadvantages of continuing nursing education in relation to:

Impact on competency
Influence on knowledge and attitudes
Link to professional certification
Connection with the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice
Relationship to the ANA Code of Ethics

As a group, decide: Should continuing nursing education be mandatory for all nurses? Support your decision with sound rationale. You are required to cite at least three scholarly sources for this assignment.

While APA formatting is not mandatory for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is necessary. In-text citations and references should adhere to APA guidelines as outlined in the APA Style Guide available at the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric, so please review the rubric before starting to ensure you meet the requirements for successful completion. You do not need to submit this to Turnitin.

NRS-440VN: How a Bill Becomes a Law

Nurses play a crucial role in the community and political systems. For this assignment, identify an issue or concern within your community or organization that could potentially be addressed through legislation. Conduct research and propose a solution that can be enacted into law.

To begin, review the “How a Bill Becomes a Law” media: Link to “How a Bill Becomes a Law”.

Watch the “Bill to Law Process” scenario, then refer to the “Legislative Assignment” document. You will need to download and save it for use.

After completing the assignment, submit it to your instructor. You also have the option to send your completed proposal to a government official, though this is not required. If you choose to do so, you can research the necessary contact information or refer to the “Find Your Representative” tool.

Although APA formatting is not required, strong academic writing is expected.

NRS-440VN Week 5: Combining Nurse Leader with Advocacy

Using the “Nurse Manager Skills Inventory,” assess yourself based on the following content areas: Link to Nurse Manager Skills Inventory:

Personal and professional accountability
Career planning
Personal journey disciplines
Reflective practice reference behaviors/tenets

Write a reflection of 750-1,000 words in which you evaluate your strengths and weaknesses in these areas. Discuss how you will use your current leadership skills to advocate for change in your workplace. Identify one personal leadership goal and outline a plan for achieving it.

Though APA formatting is not required for the body of this assignment, ensure your writing follows academic standards. In-text citations and references should follow APA guidelines, as outlined in the APA Style Guide found in the Student Success Center.

Review the rubric before beginning the assignment to ensure you meet the necessary criteria for successful completion. This assignment must be submitted to Turnitin according to the directions provided by your instructor.

NRS 440VN Trends and Issues in Today’s Healthcare – Grand Canyon

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