Nursing Curriculum : A Call For Change

The additional course work enhances the student’s professional development, prepares the new nurse for a broader scope of practice, and provides the nurse with a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic, and social issues that affect patients and influence health care delivery.” (American Association of Colleges of Nursing (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2012, p. 1)

My three goals for this course are as follows: to better understand the current legal and ethical climate of health care and specifically nursing, to be aware of that climate as I enter clinical, and to understand how I as a nurse can work to make the system more ethical. I chose these three goals, because they provide me with the opportunity to first learn about the current legal and ethical climate of nursing from an academic standpoint while examining how that knowledge translates to what I’m experiencing in clinical. My last goal is reflection-focused, and will allow me to take 5101 course content with me as I move forward as a professional nurse. I plan to accomplish these goals by being present in class preparation, lecture, and seminar,

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

“The nurse has a basic concern for people as human beings, confidence in the fundamental power of personality for good, respect for religious beliefs of others, and a philosophy which will sustain and inspire others as well as herself” (ANA, 1940; p. 980). The documentary “The American Nurse”, explores some of the biggest issues the United States faces today- aging, war, poverty, and prisons- through the lives of five very different nurses and their work as health care providers. The film examines real life people in their everyday lives as nurses which changes the way one looks at and thinks about the entire concept of nursing. Nursing is not merely a job, nor is it simply an occupation or a profession. To be a nurse, one must uphold the finest of standards and ethics, dedicating their entire lives to helping and serving others. Therefore, it cannot simply be a behavior; it is a lifestyle.

Shortly after beginning my nursing career at one of the most prestigious public nursing schools in Georgia, I recognized the significance of being a well-rounded student to become an individual who cares for the public. I wanted to embody a person who has the brains, the heart, the passion, and love for nursing. I had the privilege to work alongside fellow nursing students,

Creasia, Friberg, J. (2011). Conceptual Foundations: The Bridge to Professional Nursing Practice (5th ed). Mosby. Retrieved from

My reason for choosing this particular course was to study and explore the different practices towards improving health and how health effects people worldwide. Also, my expectations from this class is to learn the core concepts of public health and the essential associations between nursing, global health, and the elements

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 third barrier discussed in the IOM’s Future of Nursing report was that nurses need to be full partners, with all other health care professionals, in order to redesign health care in the United States (IOM, 2010). To do this nursing education must add leadership aspects to the education programs. In doing this it will ensure that nurse are ready to actively participate and lead in decisions regarding healthcare

To reflect on the recommendation by the IOM and the consensus by American Association of Colleges of Nursing (ANCN) to elevate the educational level for the advanced practice nurses to increase patient healthcare quality, safety, and positive health outcomes are the DNP essentials with healthcare policy and competencies that are relevant to advocacy (Melnyk, 2013). According to Potempa (2011), the DNP essentials are relevant to DNP graduates, as well as the DNP students to be prepared to involve proactively in the healthcare policy preparations and implementation in all system levels. In addition, it prepares the DNP nurses to lead and provide a critical boundary between the research, policy, and practice (Melnyk, B. M. (2013). Therefore, the

Nursing career is one of the few fastest growing fields in the health care industry not only in the United States but also in the world. Nurse practice has drastically changed in the last decade and as a result the need for changes in nursing practice is becoming more and more important. The Institute of Medicine report discusses so many aspects in nursing but this paper requires detailing the impacts on Nursing Practice (Transforming Practice), Nursing Education (Transforming Education), and the Nurse’s role as a Leader (Transforming Leadership). These three key aspects are discussed in the following pages.

In November of 2010, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health”. This special report examined the current state of nursing and changing landscape of the American healthcare system and offered recommendations for the future role nurses should play. The committee that released the report, Committee on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, divided it into three parts. Part II of the study, focused on transforming the nursing profession in order to improve America’s healthcare system. In order to achieve this transformation, the committee recommended that nurses attain higher levels of education and training, practice to the full extent of that education and training, and assume more

My philosophy of nursing education grows out of my philosophy of nursing. Much has been said related to healthcare reform, healthcare globalization, and healthcare delivery. A resounding theme in all of these discussions is the need for nurses to take a position of leadership in the healthcare industry (Institute of Medicine, 2010). I believe nurses, as leaders, are uniquely qualified to bridge the gap between the healthcare industry and a rapidly changing global environment. Nurses are educationally in tune to the proposed changes that are being made, yet sensitive enough to address the needs of individuals affected by these changes. In a global community, nurses advocate for the individual.

There is no doubt that the health care system is constantly changing and working to improve its flaws, to the best of its ability. Whether nurses like it or not we are a part of the ever changing health care system. “With more than 3 million members, the nursing profession is the largest segment of the nation’s health care workforce” (Institute of Medicine [IOM], 2010, p. 1). The Institute of Medicine believes that nurses should be active in transforming the profession of nursing, along with the health care system. Regardless, of backgrounds, race, and age all nurses can contribute to the future of the nursing profession. The following paper will discuss the Institute of Medicine’s nursing expectations and recommendations, as well as the opportunity to becoming a clinical nurse instructor.

To be a productive global citizen one must grow intellectually and the most effective way to accomplish this is to procure a liberal education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistic, in October of 2016 2.2 million youth ages 16 - 24 enrolled in college (BLS, 2017, P. 1). These students no matter their chosen major will be well versed in an array of subjects thanks to general education requirements. The Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) defines a liberal education as an education that “intentionally fosters, across multiple fields of study, wide ranging knowledge of science, cultures, and society; high level intellectual and practical skills, an active commitment to personal and social responsibility, and the demonstrated ability to apply learning to complex problems and challenges” (AAC&U, 2007, p. 4). For this paper I will be focusing on how a Liberal education is invaluable to those attaining a baccalaureate in a science, specifically nursing. This paper will discuss: i Why I chose to pursue a liberal education. ii The value a liberal education has for me and for my future nursing practice. And finally iii I will explain what autonomy means to me and my future nursing practice.