The future of (psychiatric) nursing

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Policy
• Mental Health

Background:

• The Institute of Medicine's (IOM) report, 'The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health,' highlights current challenges in nursing.
• These issues echo concerns previously identified and addressed by the National Joint Practice Commission (NJPC) in the 1970s.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide historical context for the IOM report by reviewing earlier publications and NJPC initiatives.
• To analyze the IOM's recommendations, questioning their practical implementation and long-term viability.
• To propose a foundational step for advancing psychiatric-mental health nursing.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of historical nursing publications.
• Analysis of the National Joint Practice Commission's work.
• Critical examination of the IOM's 'Future of Nursing' report recommendations.

Main Results:

• Identified recurring problems in nursing practice, education, and leadership across decades.
• Highlighted the need to explore the practical "how-to" and sustainability of IOM's proposed solutions.
• Emphasized the lack of specific data on psychiatric-mental health nursing and its practitioners.

Conclusions:

• The IOM report addresses long-standing issues within the nursing profession.
• Further research into psychiatric-mental health nursing is essential for successful implementation of the IOM's recommendations.
• Understanding the specialty and its workforce is a critical first step toward achieving the IOM's goals.