The Role Of Policy And Regulatory Guidelines

An ongoing debate for the requirements to become a Registered Nurse (RN) has been unsettled. Several different educational pathways lead to an RN licensure; however, the minimum educational requirements must be standardized at the baccalaureate level for several reasons. Spetz and Bates (2013) published that a growing number of hospitals prefer hiring nurses with a Bachelor Science in Nursing (BSN) as this increases the status of the nursing profession (p. 1). Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), as well as a certificate on-the-job training Diploma are two other educational pathways to become an RN, which can be disadvantageous to the nursing profession in several ways (Tollick 2013; Spetz and Bates 2013). If entry-level nurses

Associates prepared nurses are able to sit for the NCLEX as well as bachelors prepared nurses. They are both able to practice and perform many of the same skills and procedures. Their differences in clinical competencies are few, but their differences in critical thinking, decision making, communication, leadership, and management techniques and abilities, are many. The bachelors prepared nurse has received a higher and more in depth level of education in their field. This additional study and preparedness gives the bachelors prepared nurse the ability to understand not only the “what” and “how” of their clinical procedures, but also the

Nursing has a long history of formal education which moved out of hospitals and into colleges and universities early last century. The associate degree level of nursing was developed out of a need to produce nurses in response to a shortage during and

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).

The publication from the institute of medicine has garnered much interest since its publication in 2010 focusing on the future of nursing and the implementation of this with in the nursing community. The nursing profession has over 3 million members and is the largest segment of the nation’s health care workforce. Working on the front lines of patient care, nurses can play a vital role in helping realize the objectives set forth in the 2010 IOM (Institute of Medicine). One of the recommendations is that of a nurse residency program for new nurses or nurses transitioning into new clinical practice areas. The area I work in is home health and this is a growth area the need for a residency program cannot be over stated home

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.

In the traditional health care model, formal learning is not complete when a physician receives their medical degree and white coat at the end of their academic program. Medical school graduates are required to complete an accredited hospital residency program to become licensed to practice medicine, (Jolly, Erikson, & Garrison, 2013). However, acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs) are not afforded, nor expected to complete, the same educational requirements. The current expectation that a new graduate ACNP learn their advanced nursing role “on-the-job” is unacceptable and leads to decreased job satisfaction and preparedness. In the every-changing climate of health care, the development of required residency programs for ACNPs should be maintained as a priority.

In order to first start a policy process, the problem for which a policy is to be created must be identified and the policy holding a solution to the problem. Researchers and stakeholders will investigate the problem to identify if the policy will reach the policy making agenda. Policies must be to improve society’s health and wellbeing. In the United States (U.S.) public health related issues that require a formulation of a new policy and come from local, state, or federal legislations which ruling govern the provision of health care services and regulations. In this

Bachelor degree nursing programs are highly regarded for the skilled, clinical thinking, and professionalism of nurses they provide for the community. Obtaining a baccalaureate in nursing provides the same skills and knowledge encompassed in most associate’s programs, while allowing a broadened look into research, public health, management, and humanities (AACN IENP, 2012). Many facilities are now providing incentives for nursing staff to continue their education; from tuition reimbursement, an increase in pay, and played time off for the sole purpose of education. Research has proven that with a more educated

NURSE Corps Loan Repayment and Scholarship Programs, reimburses up to 85% of current or new graduate nursing students’ loans if they agree to work at least three years in an accredited school of nursing or designated healthcare facility (Nursing Community). To receive a NURSE Corps Scholarship, a student must be registered as a full time student and agree to work or teach for two years in a critical shortage area or accredited school of nursing. In order to help disadvantage nursing students, Workforce Diversity Grants were created to supply money and contract prospects for racial and ethnic minorities who are underrepresented in the registered nurse (RN) workforce. The Workforce Diversity Grants helped 12,077 students in FY 2012 (Nursing Community). The goal of the Nurse Faculty Loan Program Grants is to advance the number competent nursing faculty. In FY 2012, there were 2,259 nurse educators helped, these educators are required to teach at a school of nursing for four years (Nursing Community). Over these four years, which includes interest, 85% of their student loans will be repaid (Nursing Community). Nurse Education, Practice, Quality, and Retention Grants facilitate academic health centers, schools of nursing, state and local governments, nurse-managed health centers, and healthcare facilities. These grants are utilized to improve nursing education and increase programs, 6,269

214) “The ACA and the need for APRNs, nurse faculty, and nurse researchers would have increased dramatically under any scenario.” (L R Cronenwett [RWJF Iniative on the Future of Nursing], 2010, table 1). “Not only must schools of nursing build their capacity to prepare more students. Nursing need to focus on fundamental improvements in the delivery of nursing care to improve patient safety and quality is key.” (IOM, 2010, p. 208)

The educational requirement for advanced nursing practice is a master’s level education in a program or track leading to APN licensure, including graduate degree-granting and post-graduate certificate programs with established educational standards and attainment of the APN core, role core and population core competencies (National Council of State Boards, 2012). APN’s acquire increased knowledge in the sciences of anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. The core curriculum for the advanced practice role includes priorities in

Nurses have been an integral part of health care for years. Many of the nurses people see regularly are Registered nurses or BSN, aka Bachelor of Science nurses that more or less are similar in work load, only separated by amount of education. It takes two years to receive an RN as well as passing a rigorous examination while it takes four years to receive ones “BSN”. Advanced practice nurses are those who have taken their education further and have received a master level education, these master level programs can be Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Midwives and Nurse practitioners and their various intra-specialties’. However, in 2004 the AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing) introduced

Although it is the nurse's responsibility to know and adhere to the nursing scope and standard of care in whichever setting he or she practices in (NSO, n.d.), it is also the duty of the clinic nurse manager to ensure that the nursing staff are knowledgeable in the applicable procedures concerning the management of the orthopedic patient. Therefore, providing nursing staff with additional education and training may be needed especially if the nurse is new to nursing or to orthopedic medicine. By providing additional education and training will ensure the orthopedic patient's clinical symptoms can be safely and appropriately handled ( NSO, n.d.). If sending your staff for training is not feasible, then I would want to provide them with EBP guidelines and algorithms that would help them with making decision; however, I would also stress to the staff that

“Throughout the last decade, policymakers and practice leaders have recognized that education makes a difference” (Impact of Education, n.d.). Hospitals are also trending towards preferred hiring of bachelors prepared nurses for their workforce. Even national organizations are jumping on the bandwagon requiring “all nurse managers and nurse leaders to hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing by 2013” (Impact of Education, n.d.), likewise the Institute of Medicine has also recommended that all hospitals have at least 80% of their nursing staff with a BSN or higher by the year 2020 (Impact of Education, n.d.).