Transforming nursing practice: barriers and solutions.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Policy
• Nursing Practice
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The Institute of Medicine's report, The Future of Nursing, emphasizes nurses practicing to the full extent of their education and training.
• Current healthcare systems face challenges in operating at full capacity, necessitating optimized roles for all healthcare professionals.
• The shift towards wellness, disease prevention, and chronic disease management increases the importance of nurses in care coordination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the necessity for Registered Nurses (RNs) to practice at their full scope of education and training.
• To identify barriers preventing nurses from reaching their full potential.
• To demonstrate how professional nurses can prepare for and contribute to essential healthcare reform.

Main Methods:

• This is an overview and analysis of current nursing roles and future healthcare needs.
• It synthesizes recommendations from The Future of Nursing report.
• It discusses the evolving landscape of healthcare delivery models.

Main Results:

• Barriers exist that hinder nurses from practicing to their full potential.
• Nurses' roles in care coordination are projected to increase.
• Recognition and valuation of nurses' contributions are crucial for effective healthcare delivery.

Conclusions:

• Transforming nursing practice is vital for nurses to achieve their full potential in new healthcare models.
• Addressing barriers and enabling full practice scope are critical for healthcare reform.
• Nurses are essential to delivering safe, high-quality, cost-effective, and patient-centered care.