Answer

Nursing Education

Nurses play a significant role in ensuring the health and safety of individuals, families and communities.  They are charged with the responsibility of providing services that are designed to promote good health, prevent illnesses, and provide solutions to a wide range of health problems (American Nurses’ Association (ANA), 2010). As a result, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) has provided a number of recommendations that are intended to improve healthcare delivery and promote positive outcomes in healthcare settings (Barbara & Susan, 2005). In this regard, the IOM is determined to increase the number of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80% by 2020; double the proportion of nurses with a doctorate; and ensure that nurses engage in lifelong learning (ANA, 2010). This paper reflects on how I see myself fitting into these recommendations, how advancing my education will impact my competition in the current job market; and affect my role in the future of nursing.

One of the IOM recommendations is to increase the number of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020. This is meant to improve the quality of healthcare and increase the number of competent nurses in the job market (Forsetlund et al., 2009). It will also ensure that individuals are handled with highly qualified professionals thus enhancing patient safety and promoting positive health outcomes in clinical settings (Smith, 2003). As a result, I intend to complete my baccalaureate degree in nursing and enroll for a doctorate for career growth and development (Loomis, Willard, & Cohen, 2007). In other words, advancing my education will allow me to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to provide patients high quality care. Similarly, it will make it possible for me to meet the IOM recommendations thus increasing my chances of employment in the current job market. 

The IOM also recommends that nurses should engage in lifelong learning. That is to say, they must keep up with the latest knowledge and advances in healthcare to respond effectively to the changing needs of patients, as well as, the healthcare system (Fletcher, Hager, & Russell, 2008). Nurses can do this through continuous training and development to enhance their knowledge and skills (Nalle, Wyatt, & Myers, 2010). In this regard, I will engage in continuous learning by enrolling in programs that will help me enhance my nursing knowledge and skills to remain competitive and updated with the changes in the healthcare system. As a result, I will not only fulfill the IOM recommendations, but also, be in a better position to serve patients more efficiently and promote positive health outcomes within my practice.

In conclusion, advancing my level of education in nursing will benefit me in a number of ways. First, it will enable me to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to provide patients with effective, high quality care. Secondly, it will increase my chances of employment in the current job market. Thirdly, it will enable me to become competitive and updated with the current knowledge and advances in nursing. Fourthly, it will make it possible for me to respond appropriately to the changes in the healthcare system and patients’ needs. Lastly, attaining a baccalaureate degree and doctorate in nursing, as well as, engaging in lifelong learning will ensure that I fulfill the IOM recommendations.   It is in this regard that I intend to advance my level of education for career and personal development.