Our nation’s health system is undergoing rapid and dramatic change triggered by the passing of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 and many other domestic and global factors. This transformation has created new challenges for the healthcare profession, and with it, an increase in nursing responsibilities and opportunities.
The primary roles of nurses are still caregiver and patient advocate, but they are being called upon to take on expanded roles. Some of these include communicator, leader, policy advisor, innovator, researcher and health information specialist. Nurses are now at the forefront of our healthcare system alongside physicians, scientists, and policy makers, helping to create health system improvements. Lamar University’s Master of Science in Nursing Administration online can help prepare nurses for this new landscape.
The Need for Health System Improvement
An assortment of factors has contributed to the current healthcare climate. One of these factors is the increase in the number of Americans seeking quality care. According to a recent study by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 20 million more Americans gained coverage between 2010 and 2016. The aging Baby Boomer generation and a rise in chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases, has increased the need for healthcare providers. According to the World Health Organization, global factors, including an increase in antimicrobial resistance, economic disparities and climate change also play a role.
Yet the supply of qualified nurses has not kept pace with this influx of patients. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the profession is experiencing a shortage, which is expected to intensify.
The Nurse’s Role in Improving Healthcare Systems
In a recent report by the American Association of Retired Persons, 11 physicians offered their thoughts on making health system improvements. Ideas included creating a unified system of care, taking a more holistic approach to patient care, and focusing on preventive healthcare.
Addressing challenges and implementing these types of changes requires a diverse nursing workforce that can take on new nursing responsibilities. New roles for nurses have been created in a variety of categories—science, administration, policy advisement and information technology. One example is the nurse researcher who, according to the AACN, conducts studies, analyzes data and solves clinical problems for the purpose of improving healthcare services and patient outcomes. According to Patricia A. Grady, Director of the National Institute of Nursing Research, nurse scientists “have become essential leaders and participants in cross-disciplinary team science, designing and testing solutions for a broad range of health care issues, and building a scientific foundation for clinical practice.”
Nurse informaticists also play an essential role in helping the healthcare system run more efficiently. Per The American Nursing Informatics Association this specialty “integrates nursing science, computer science and information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge.”
As public policy specialists, nurses can use their expertise to advise legislators on healthcare policy, says the AACN.
Nursing Roles Vary by Education Level
These new roles require nurses to have advanced degrees. The AACN says the trend is toward hiring nurses with at least a BSN. The nurses with the highest level of education have the greatest number of opportunities.
Nursing responsibilities vary by education levels. According to DiscoverNursing.com, nurses with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) will continue to provide essential, frontline patient care. Nurses with a BSN also work in patient settings but are prepared to take on leadership and supervisory roles. Some of these roles include creating nursing care treatment plans, educating patients and assisting doctors.
To have the biggest impact in health system improvement, nurses need to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or higher. With an MSN, registered nurses can take on roles in administration, research, education, informatics and policy advisement.
As our health system transforms, nursing responsibilities are also changing. Nurses are still patient caregivers, but now they have opportunities to provide that care through administration, science, policy and education. These newer roles, which require higher levels of education, have the potential to create positive and lasting change within our healthcare system.
Sources:
United States Department of Health & Human Services
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
American Association of Retired Persons
National Institute of Nursing Research (Patricia A. Grady)
The American Nursing Informatics Association
