The Impact Of Nursing Evolution On Clinical Practice

The impact of nursing evolution significantly changed clinical practice. Therefore, nursing is currently a respectful career, and nurses possess advanced clinical skills. The healthcare industry in the United States is very complex and promotes professional development and accountability. For instance, the change affects the nursing practice which accounts for a large percentage of health care professionals in America.

The nursing profession has evolved along with healthcare technology, and nurses are no longer bedside technicians who implement a prescribed care plan without critical thinking. Nurses are advanced licensed professionals with drug prescriptions and medical diagnoses privilege. For example, many states approve Advanced Practice Nurses to become independent health care providers with the option to work across all care settings.

In October 2010, the Institute of Medicine – IOM released a report addressing nursing issues in regard to health care complexity. IOM made some recommendations to maximize nursing performance and patient outcomes.

Nursing Evolution and Clinical Practice

The impact of the report on nursing and clinical practice is very crucial to the evolving trends of Advanced Practice Nurses, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Anesthetics and other specialties. Medical doctors follow an approved scope of practice with respect to their specialties and obtained clinical privileges in specific states. Thus, it is time to promote nursing as an honorable profession and to standardize its scope across the country.

Advanced Practice Nurses have different levels of privilege according to the state they obtain their licenses. The Institute of Medicine recommends the adoption of a nationwide scope with respect to specialty. Therefore, the committee believes that Advanced Practice Nurses should practice equally across America.

Advanced Practice Nurses should receive education at the doctorate level in order to manage complex clinical cases. The recommendations validate the impact of nursing evolution on clinical practice. The advancement in nursing practice will assist with provider shortage across the country.

Evolution of Nursing Clinical Practice

Some of the recommendations include admission privilege, membership on the medical staff, clinical privilege, prescription privilege across the country and many more. The nursing pioneers would have been proud and delighted to witness the evolution of Nursing Practice.

Moreover, a higher nursing degree will enable nurses to compete for advanced clinical and leadership roles. Nurses should strive to maintain current clinical knowledge and skills as the profession continues to evolve. Besides, the committee encourages nurses to improve their critical thinking skills and professional development.

In addition, nurses should participate in local community healthcare events, and join a local or national nursing organization or clubs. Continuing education will promote professional engagement, improve clinical performance and foster changes. The evolution of the profession can have a positive impact on nursing and clinical practice.

Impact of Nursing Evolution on Nursing Education

Nurses can earn a plethora of nursing degrees according to individual goals and clinical interest. The nursing profession is unique and offers the potential for professional development. Thus, the impact of nursing evolution significantly affects nursing education. Below is a list of some of the nursing degrees that professionals can obtain:

Certificate Nursing Program

• Licensed Practical Nurse – LPN: this is a certificate program that most individuals can complete between 8 to 15 months. Therefore, some of the nursing pre-requisites do not apply. LPN works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. Furthermore, LPN has the following restrictions:
  • LPN cannot complete initial patient assessment independently.
  • LPN cannot obtain type and cross for blood product administration.
  • Practical nurses cannot administer IV push medication.
  • Registered nurses have to validate LPN assessment.
  • LPN needs a Registered nurse to validate TPN and blood products.
  • Finally, LPN can work in almost all care settings.

Associate Nursing Degree

• Associate Degree Nurses – ADN
  • Most nurses complete this degree in 18 months in addition to pre-requisites.
  • Nurses practice within full Registered Nurse scope according to state regulations.
  • They complete initial patient admission and collect initial patient clinical data.
  • They do not need another nurse to validate their work.
  • Registered Nurses can assume charge nurse roles.
  • Associate degree nurses do not receive enough education in nursing leadership.
  • ADN nurses work across all care settings which is an advantage to nursing and clinical practice.

Baccalaureate Nursing Degree

• Baccalaureate Nursing degree-BSN
  • BSN nurses complete the same tasks as ADN nurses.
  • This degree takes between 18 – 24 months to complete besides all prerequisites. Thus, nurses complete additional classes.
  • They also take the same board exam as ADN nurses.
  • Baccalaureate nurses complete additional leadership courses in evidence-based and research.
  • BSN nurses assume charge nurse and other leadership roles within a shorter time in comparison to ADN nurses.
  • Some employer pay BSN nurses more than ADN nurses.

Advanced Nursing Degrees

• Master Degree Nurses-Advanced Practice Nurses/MS/MSN
  • Nurses complete an additional 18-36 months of school in addition to undergraduate degree. Therefore, they acquire more clinical knowledge compare to undergraduate nurses.
  • This advanced degree prepares nurses for advanced leadership roles.
  • Some nurses can practice independently as a Nurse Practitioner.
  • Employers highly prefer Advanced Practice Nurses.
  • Nurses must take a certification exam to be a Nurse Practitioner.
  • There are many specialties available. 
  • Some nurses obtain a dual degree: MS & MSN. The Master of Science degree provides education beyond basic nursing. 
    
• Doctorate in Nursing Practice-DNP & PhD
  • This is a terminal degree, and nurses in that category are independent providers, nurse consultants, and executive board members. Nurses complete three additional years of school following graduate studies or five full years if they only hold an undergraduate degree. The nursing education pathway validates the evolution of nursing and clinical practice.

Implications for Nurses

The nurse’s role as a leader is also one of the significant changes that the committee discussed in the report. Besides, the committee suggested the direct involvement of nurse leaders in boardroom and reform committees.

Moreover, nursing experience is an advantage to nursing leadership because it enables Nurse Administrators and Executives to make the appropriate clinical decision to improve nursing outcome.
The Goal of the committee according to the Institute of Medicine -IOM report on October 2010, is to double the number of Doctorate Nurses by 2020.

The committee believes this will transform nursing greatly and facilitate the standardization of the profession. For example, most acute care hospitals in Maryland require nurses to obtain a bachelor degree in nursing by January 2020. Besides, the higher level of education will ensure the safe replacement of retired nurses, leaders, researchers, educators and advanced practitioners.

The leadership role will promote high quality of nursing care by identifying problems, developing a care plan, evaluating outcomes and making an adjustment to meet a higher level of care. For instance, that role will also improve professional networking and redefine the nursing profession. The evolution of nursing will have a positive impact on clinical practice.

Conclusion

The IOM recommendations will greatly impact the nursing profession because nurse leaders will become change agents and will lead a culture change in their organizations. Advanced Practice Nurses will benefit from the evolution of the profession. The advancement will enable nurses to emerge in new leadership roles.

Nurses will take pride in a leadership position and executive decision making. Besides, caregivers will deliver high quality of care, and they will become experts in their specialty. Nurse leaders will make a great impact on their community in collaboration with their peers to promote Patient Safety  and positive outcomes.

Note that IOM is currently the National Academy of Medicine – NAM.