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Transforming Practice

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Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action

Key Message #1: Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and training.

Patients, in all settings, deserve care that is centered on their unique needs and not what is most convenient for the health professionals involved in their care. A transformed health care system is required to achieve this goal. Transforming the health care system will in turn require a fundamental rethinking of the roles of many health professionals, including nurses.The Affordable Care Act of 2010 outlines some new health care structures, and with these structures will come new opportunities for new roles. A number of programs and initiatives have already been developed to target necessary improvements in quality, access, and value, and many more are yet to be conceived.

Nurses have the opportunity to play a central role in transforming the health care system to create a more accessible, high-quality, and value-driven environment for patients. If the system is to capitalize on this opportunity, however, the constraints of outdated policies, regulations, and cultural barriers, including those related to scope of practice, will have to be lifted, most notably for advanced practice registered nurses.

The NJ Action Coalition, Future of Nursing 1st Year Progress Meeting recommendations for Transforming Practice as outlined within the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action

Short Term Goals:

  • Identify key opportunities and obstacles for nurses practicing to the full extent of their licensure and education
  • Identify potential legislative and community champions
  • Explore new structures and how they can be used to help nurses practice to the full extent of their education and licensure
  • Using electronic health records/technology to enhance practice and ensuring that nurses play a key role in creating new systems
     

Achievements:

  • Completed list of challenges and opportunities
  • Identified an Assembly and Senate Champion to help move key legislation
  • Worked with various legislative sponsors to amend bills to add or enhance the role of nurses
  • Recommend nurses be participants in the creation of Electronic Health Records

Next Steps:

  • Create and move legislation and regulations that protects the role of APNs and nurses
  • Work in concert with Board Of Nursing to support nurses business practices
  • Educate insurers and others about the role of nurses in healthcare
  • Regional meetings across the state to educate and inform nursing staff on the IOM report