The IOM published report, "Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health

Answer

Higher Education in Nursing

             Having obtained licensures, nurses, particularly advanced practice registered nurses (APRNS), are required to undertake continuing education coursework in their entire professional life. Continuing education improve nurses’ basic skills, assist them adapt to contemporary technological advancements and examine new healthcare processes. Similarly, registered nurses and other healthcare practitioners should register for lifelong studies as a core component of healthcare education. A compelling study carried out by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) stressed on the need to sufficiently train nurses across the US (Ulrich, 2015). The research encouraged nurses to focus on improving profession and patient care. Based on this background information, this paper examines options available in the market, suggestions by IOM for higher education, advanced degrees and professional certification that would be pursued, and how increasing education level would influence competitiveness in the contemporary job market. The paper also examines the relationship of nursing education to competency to the ANA standards and practice, as well as, code of ethics. Lastly, it reflects on the whether it is necessary to make continuing nursing education compulsory for nurses.

Options in the Job Market

             Nursing is an interesting, dynamic, and an indulging profession. American Nurses Credentialing Center (2018) reported that the demand for competent nurses will continue to increase with an anticipated growth of 12% in few years to come. Further, an empirical research has shown that an emerging delivery framework with the focus on managing health condition and restricting acute health challenges will result in an increased demand for nurses. Other factors that will influence the demand for nurses include the growing rate of aging Baby Boomers, as well as, the general increase in the population. Given that I am an undergraduate, I have minimal options within the job market because IOM’s preferences are that about 80% of the registered nurses should be holders of bachelor’s degree to fulfil the competency level for the provision of quality care and the increasing complexity of patient needs (Altman, Butler, & Shern, 2016). On the same note, the American Association of Colleges of nursing demands that Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) should be mandatory for a person working in the healthcare environment and offering critical care, ambulatory care, mental health, critical care, and public health (Altman, Butler, & Shern, 2016). As such, BSN stands a chance of enjoying considerable employment options.

Professional Certification and Advanced Degrees I Want to Pursue

             The advanced degrees and professional certification I intend to purse once I have graduated with BSN is the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The reason for pursuing this is that the DNP program provides additional training in disciplines including health information systems, healthcare policy, and evidence based approaches, systems leadership, as well as, interpersonal collaboration. Moreover, I desire to register for DNP program because it comprises of coursework and training geared towards improving on the knowledge and skills and preparing learners for the greatest level of activities within the nursing profession. Given that I intend to specialize in administration in clinical nursing, DNP will be appropriately suit my future goals. Essentially, I intend to complete this degree in the DNP program in a span of seven years once I have graduated with BSN degree because I intend to work and get some finances for this program. Moreover, I desire to first gain life experience in the nursing field as this this equip me understand what lies ahead of me even as I further my education.

Increasing the Education Level and Competitiveness in the Present Job Market

              Increasing my level of education would make me more competitive in the current job market because by pursuing DNP, I will stand a chance for qualifying for various roles that cannot be accessed by health professionals with BSN degrees and Associate Degree in Nursing. Given that I am interested in obtaining an administrative role in clinical medicine and as required by IOM, a doctorate is enough to equip me with the required expertise and knowledge to achieve this nursing role. Moreover, academically advanced nurses can easily shift to new roles including community care, clinical documentation, ambulatory care, nursing informatics, case management and infectious diseases since the nursing profession is changing to a framework intended at increasing the outcomes and improving a range of care (Prince & Reichert, 2017).

Continuing Nursing Education to Attitudes, Competency, Knowledge and the ANA Scope and Standards for Practice

            Pursuing high levels of education is greatly linked to being competitive in the nursing profession, growing positive perception towards managing patients, a clear understanding of various roles of a nurse, as well as, offering in accordance with ANA Scope and Standards for Practice and Code of Ethics. Presently, nursing is regarded as competent when there is robust range of education as opposed to the past where license was the only thing needed. Branson, Boss and Fowler (2016) posited that education range is the critical tool in establishing the nursing competency because of the nursing dynamics where advancements in technology has taken over the key responsibilities in the clinical settings. Higher education creates a major difference in offering safe and effective care to patients. It also enables nurses to earn skills needed to deal with medication challenges with least mistakes safely. Continuing higher education in nursing improves knowledge and quality of care delivered and enhances the competency of nurses in the job market.

            Essentially, higher education is closely linked to ANA standards and scope of practice since it ensures excellent care, career advancement and knowledge expansion. Reportedly, nursing practices require specialized knowledge, expertise and liberal minds for decision making. Every nurse is supposed to be widely experienced and being aware of contemporary evidence based techniques in case she or he is to offer exemplary care that patients need. With the achievement of higher levels of education, nurses can grasp greater leadership roles. Prince and Reichert (2017) maintained that leadership role is critical in transforming the healthcare and for government and private healthcare policy formulators to involve representations from the nursing board. As mandated by ANA, nurses have the same roles to themselves as they perform others. This entails responsibilities to ensure fair and equal treatment, be competent, advance professionally and personally, boost career skills and knowledge, and be trained to provide quality care. Nonetheless, this can only be realized by furthering education to promote these codes of ethics.

Making Continuing Nursing Education Mandatory

            Continuing nursing education needs to be made mandatory for every nurse because higher nursing education helps redefine nurses to make them distinct while offering healthcare services by offering safe and quality care to patients. Further, through higher education, nurses gain necessary skills for administering drugs safely while at the same time minimizing errors, reviewing and monitoring how patients react to the administered drugs. Altman, Butler and Shern (2016) argued that nurses become competent after using modern technologies because advanced education courses examine the most current technology. Further, with continuing education, nurses became aware of the current trends in clinical medicine while changing patient requirements. More importantly, higher education allows nurses to effectively and proficiently arrange care for patients by communicating and collaborating with other healthcare practitioners and share knowledge through networking. On the same vein, nurses enjoy exposure to conferences where they network with competent providers within the nursing field.