Since 2009, Committee on Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative on the Future of Nursing, at the Institute of Medicine has worked to develop a blueprint for using nurse-led models of innovation to improve the health care system. Tues Oct 5th in Washington, DC, IOM issued statements of where they want nursing to go in the future. Multi-disciplinary meeting and study – 260 page document. Cindy participated in the webcast and offered the following highlights of the meeting:

• No more turf battles.

• BSN for entry level nursing- Population is more diverse and complicated and multicultural and nursing education needs to reflect this change.

• Nurses must be full partners with physicians to redesign the health care system. >3 million nurses-we must lead and be at the table for discussion. Need to be on committees and board rooms. Need collaborative effort from those who are delivering the care to improve care, access, and outcomes. Nurses are also the most trusted profession in health care.

• Data to support nursing as the largest healthcare workforce- provides different opportunities for future. Nurse may assume new, non traditional roles or opportunities.

• Document is patient centered, improves access to care and provides extraordinary health care outcomes. Multidisciplinary report and approach

• Advance practice nurses should be allowed full scope of practice. Patient centered nursing care speaks to the American people, combines the science of nursing and the art of patient care. Nurses are to be leaders in society in regards to health and patient care as they are the most trusted and biggest part of healthcare.

• Seamless academic transition from different degrees in nursing upward without barriers to increasing education. More completion programs, on-line programs, shared curricula, co-admission between community colleges and 4 year programs. Need more MSN and doctorally prepared nurses to teach and conduct research. Nursing research should continue and document the safety and efficacy of nursing care “in the trenches.” Nursing faculty shortages-new innovative way to attract faculty, improvement in salary, benefit package which is market competitive, recommendation for life-long learning.

• Based on extensive review of the literature; objective evaluation and weight of data from a multidisciplinary team-Nurses and NPs can safely deliver primary care. Recommendations are based on evidence based practice. Nurses need to be welcomed by the physician community as partners in care and not restricted due to turf wars. Evidence shows that advanced nursing care is comprehensive and safe.

• Primary care physicians will be crushed by the added demands and need for primary care.

• The elderly population is increasing and has complicated health care needs and nursing education should address these needs.

• There should be a collaborative effort to eliminate state barriers for transition to other states for care as well as nursing in transition across state lines. Needs to be a method for a national collaborative process for developing a collective voice “on the hill”. Only 12 states recognize independent NP practice! This must change! We must be ready and assist in the changes need for our patients.

• Medical home model-should not arbitrarily lead by physician. Should be a team of individuals working together. Number of individuals on team may vary. Needs to be flexibility of who is leading the team- may be depending on the setting- may be NP or PT.

Plan for Implementation- Nov 30-Dec 1 launch; work together to how this will roll out. IOM does not want this to be a “shelf” document.