Futures thinking: preparing nurses to think for tomorrow

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Futures Studies
• Healthcare Innovation

Background:

• Nursing education requires equipping students with forward-thinking capabilities.
• The ability to envision desired futures is crucial for nursing and healthcare.
• Embracing change and complexity is essential for future nursing practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce nursing students and educators to the field of futures studies.
• To provide strategies and tools for integrating futures skills into nursing curricula.
• To advocate for the importance of futures thinking in nursing education.

Main Methods:

• Exploration of foundational concepts and assumptions in futures studies.
• Discussion of practical methods for teaching futures thinking.
• Argumentation for the necessity of futures thinking in nursing.

Main Results:

• Futures studies offers valuable frameworks for nursing education.
• Specific strategies and tools can be implemented in nursing curricula.
• Futures thinking enhances students' capacity for innovation and leadership.

Conclusions:

• Integrating futures thinking into nursing education is vital for preparing adaptable and visionary professionals.
• Futures studies provides a robust foundation for developing essential future-oriented competencies in nursing students.
• Empowering nursing students with futures thinking skills fosters a proactive approach to healthcare challenges and opportunities.