Reflection Paper
Given the changing times in the medical world, nurses will have expanded roles that they need to be ready to take up when this time comes. Central to their preparation for the expanded roles that the future will bring is an educational advancement. The IOM Future of Nursing recommends an increase in educational levels of nurses so that the least minimum requirement for the nursing profession can be a Baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN). It further recommends an increase in the proportion of nurses that have attained a BSN and doctorate qualifications in nursing by the year 2020 as well as engaged in lifelong learning (Altman, Butler & Shern, 2016). In light of these recommendations, a personal reflection of how I intend to fit in the in nursing of the future to come is of significance. In essence, this paper seeks to demonstrate my viewpoint about these recommended issues and my stance about increasing the level of education in the nursing profession.
To begin with, an identification of the current job options that I can successfully operate in with my current level of education is of the essence in establishing an effective career plan. Upon completion of the college education and entry into the job market, I would bear the title of a Registered Nurse (RN). According to Pozgar, (2012) an RN has the competency level of operating within the hospital, community and other health care settings as educators, caregivers, coordinator of care and a member of the medical team. As such, with this level of education, all these areas will serve as my scope of practice.
Concerning increasing my nursing education, I believe it will have a significant impact on my job competitiveness in the future of nursing. That is the case given that with an increased level of education, I am bound to acquire more skills that were not attainable with the lower level of education. A case in point advancing my level of education to doctorate level will enable me to narrow to a specific area of focus that I can gain more skills to accomplish the tasks associated with the field of interest. In an already flooded job market with graduates, employees will only pick one who has a unique set of skills that will contribute to the organization in a positive way (Garmise, 2015). As such, when looking for a job, my individual competency level will enable me to stand out among other persons seeking the same job with a qualification of a diploma or a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Clearly, proof enough of how advancement in education level will enhance my competitive edginess in the job market.
Lastly, an increase in the level of education also has the potential of generating new nursing roles in the future of nursing that is worth noting. For instance, obtaining a doctorate in nursing will enable me to ascend to the highest level of nursing as a researcher, educator or even a practitioner. On the contrary, a BSN qualification will allow me to work as a manager in the healthcare setting (Altman, Butler & Shern, 2016). Evidently, with such possibilities, it is beyond doubt that attaining a high level of nursing education can potentiate new roles that nurses can undertake in the future of nursing.
Concisely, this discussion aimed at establishing personal viewpoints concerning the future of nursing and the need for advancing nursing education. Indeed, it is apparent that the future of this profession is highly dependent on the advancement of nursing education by nurses. As such, going into the future, nurses need to accept this call of increasing their level of education if they want the best for their profession.
References
Altman, S., Butler, A., & Shern, L. (2016). Assessing progress on the Institute of Medicine report The future of nursing (1st ed.).
Garmise, S. (2015). People and the competitive advantage of place (1st ed.). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
Pozgar, G. D. (2012). Legal aspects of health care administration. Sudbury, Mass: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
