Life Lifelong Learning Career Goals

Nursing has dramatically evolved in recent history in response to the changes in society, the healthcare system as well as to the evolution of the profession itself. Changes include: an aging and more diverse population, changing reimbursement practices, new technology and scientific discoveries, new diseases related to social and environmental problems. Changes in nursing roles represent a shift in the view of nursing from simply an occupation or job to a profession with a commitment to the role (Blais & Hayes, 2011). Changes in the healthcare system affect society’s expectation of nursing care. Due to these high expectations, nurses are returning to school in order to satisfy these prospects and are more effective in their roles. Prospective nursing students and registered nurses that are returning to school are undergoing many of the challenges described in these two models of transition.

Healthcare systems and the way safe, quality health care is delivered are continually changing to better serve patients and communities. Professional nursing practice is a large component in the healthcare system today. Back in the 1960s, professional nursing leaders tried to adopt the bachelor degree programs as the only educational track to become a registered nurse (Creasia & Friberg, 2011). Due to nursing shortages and demands this motive did not hold fast. Individuals entering the nursing profession today must first decide which educational pathway to take to become a Registered Nurse (RN).

In today’s healthcare system, nursing is a challenging field as a result of rapid technological advances and changes in healthcare policies. As a dedicated nursing professional, with a great passion for learning, I strive to stay on top of these changes. I am determined to increase my knowledge to be an instrumental part of providing quality healthcare. The demands of nursing are high; however the rewards are even higher. Nursing requires both a supreme understanding of the science of health, and a caring bedside manner befitting only those who seek a position of such a personal involvement in the well-being of a patient. Academically, I will put forth all of

With an ever-increasing body of knowledge in the field of nursing, more education is being required to enter the field of nursing. Many healthcare institutions are raising the educational requirements in order to become employed or maintain employment in their facilities. Healthcare organizations are transitioning to hiring registered nurses (RN) who have a higher level of education, such as, a graduate from a Baccalaureate Degree Nursing (BSN) program. The goal of these institutions is to have nurses with a broader array of skills that can meet the growing demands of our patient population. BSN prepared nurses are recognized for their well-rounded skills in critical thinking, management, case management and health promotion versus Associate Degree nurses (ADN)/Diploma nurses that focus on direct patient care.

According to Rosseter (2011), one of the largest segments of the US workforce are comprised of Registered Nurses, with over three million registered nurses worldwide. Due to the fast paced and rising complex demands placed on our healthcare environment, it is no surprise that over twenty-four thousand post graduate students were actively seeking and earning their master’s degree in nursing in 2011 (DHHS, 2013, p.ix). In order to gain an understanding of the interplay among my education, career path and opportunities afforded to me by taking an approach to higher degree learning. I approached a co-worker whose capabilities impressed me and asked her five questions in person, in order to gain her insightful information of what I will be facing during these next few months.

Over the past few decades, many drastic changes occurred in U.S health care delivery.   Our current healthcare trends demand nurses to take more active role in the health care decisions in hospital setting, long term care setting and in community healthcare setting. Since “nursing is based upon a body of knowledge that is always changing with new discoveries and innovation” Potter and Perry (2005), nursing profession is compelled to grow from being just a traditional bedside nurse. IOM’s future of nursing report which is released in 2010 calls nurses to be “more highly educated, diverse nursing workforce”.

No matter which perspective the view is from, most everyone would agree that millions of nurses worldwide are involved in a profession that is constantly changing and changing at a very quick pace (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2011). This transformation is due to a number of factors like demographic changes, the shortage of health care professionals, economic downfalls on the health care system, and evolving technology (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2011). In an effort to support and promote the future of nursing and advancement in health care, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) took on a 2 year initiative that

Change is always vital to progress and the field of nursing is constantly in change. The world that we live in today is creating a higher need for more nurses, changing the way that nurses are educated and creating new approaches to utilize nurses out in the field. On October 5th, 2010, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released the report “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.” The report elaborates on the need for the nursing profession to prepare for the changes that are occurring due to the health care reform and the current

Key Message #2: “Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression.” (Institute of Medicine, 2010, p. 163) As the IOM reports, changes in the health care system are requiring major changes in the nursing education requirements to meet the immediate needs of our patients. Nurses need to understand the importance of obtaining a higher level of education so that they can practice to their fullest

Throughout the history of nursing, nurses made vast strides to help it grow into the profession it is known to be today. Without clearly defined education and roles, the role of caring for the sick aimlessly moved amongst different groups of people from deaconesses, knights, nuns, and inmates until institutions were established for organized teaching programs. Today, individuals are eligible to take the Registered Nurse (RN) licensure test as soon as they complete the minimum of an Associates Degree in Nursing. However, there has been an increasing push for “making the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or equivalent degree, the standard for entry-into-practice” (Altmann, 2011). Aiken et al. reported that recent studies indicate a decrease in morbidity, mortality, and failure-to-rescue rates in hospitals that employ larger percentages of baccalaureate prepared nurses (as cited in Altmann, 2011, p. 257). In addition, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recently released a report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, and recommended the increase of BSN prepared nurses from 50% to 80% by 2020 (2011). In order for nurses to advance in the healthcare environment as professionals, they should be educated to the appropriate degree and be committed to lifelong learning. This paper will discuss professional identity in nursing and the implications of a bachelor prepared nurse.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2010 report examines the role of the nurse in this rapidly changing complex health care system as well as the responsibilities and education of nurses to meet the need of an aging population. The IOM Report made many recommendation that affect nurses and nursing profession. I did not realize how much the Institute of Medicine Future of Nursing report would affect me, especially recommendation 4, 5, and 6. I returned back to school in 2012, but I got discourage and overwhelm with work and school, therefore, I stopped after the first class. But as changes where occurring in health care delivery, and these changes were affecting my current position at work, I decided to return back to school since the hospitals

Through my Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) educational journey, my nursing vision expanded exponentially creating a desire not only for more knowledge and skill, but also producing an understanding of lifelong learning commitments. Ever-changing technology is leading health care into the future with a demand for evidence-based practices to ensure safe care delivery, creating more opportunities for nurses to lead patients, families, and communities toward improved health practices. Essentials l, ll, lll, lV, V, lX Last November, I was offered an Administrative Supervisor position with my current employer, and I accepted. By doing so, I have had the opportunity to work in a multitude of capacities fostering self-growth,

The IOM report recommends that continuing education to help nurses maintain clinical skills and develop leadership abilities. Need more nurses with advanced degrees to provide primary care and teach the next generation of students.

There are certain expectations the IOM expect nurses to meet, and those expectations have increased greatly transitioning to the modern year. “Nurses now need knowledge of public health, geriatrics, leadership skills, health policy, system improvements, research, and evidence-based practice.” Team collaboration is important, and this focuses for associating with many health professionals with high standards who have held higher degrees of education than nurses. Nurses must also learn to work with more advanced technology, and contribute decisions in caring for weaker patients. The impact of increasing nurses that hold BSN degrees to 80 percent by the year 2020, is specifically behind one of the reasons to transform nursing

My career objectives are to advance my nursing career through professional development of self by engaging in long life learning through continuing education in graduate school. Also, to assume leadership role in the use of evidence based research in healthy public policy and contribute to population health. Nursing is a field that keeps unfolding and requires updated knowledge to provide quality care, meet the professional requirements and challenges. Hence, long life learning would increase my professional values and competencies required to deliver quality care to diverse population. As a Public Health Nurse, by pursing Masters in Nursing, I will be able to build on my capacity to enhance and advance the field of nursing as a science.