FUTURISTIC NURSING

DEEPRAJS

Futuristic nursing
Nursing profession has a rich history characterized by compassion, dedication and service. It exists today has come a long way, withstanding the ups and downs that social, political, economic religious, cultural, technological changes have put forward. As society's culture continues to experience change, the profession of nursing is undergoing continuous evolution. The future of nursing holds a myriad of changes and challenges. These changes and challenges include both external forces as well as influences from within the profession as the role of the nurse is further defined. The changes are inevitable and should be embraced. It is the responsibility of nurses to shape the future rather than merely react to the shifts in the tide. Nurses will be positioned to appropriately respond if they adopt an attitude of expectancy, recognize challenges as opportunities, and are adequately prepared to take an active role in shaping the future of profession. NURSINGS FUTURE CHALLENGES The change in health care delivery systems has also afforded nurses a wider range of functionality. Although independence has been cultivated through expanded roles Trends towards downsizing and the current nursing shortage have increased the use of non-licensed personnel in many healthcare arenas. This will continue to force the nursing profession to identify, clarify, and communicate its scope of practice. ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY The explosive growth of technology will continue to have an impact on healthcare delivery. The advancements in telemedicine will link clinicians with patients across great distances. The growth of this technology will change the way nurses function, and lead to the development of new nursing roles. Electronic medical records are expected to replace conventional modes of documentation. X-ray films will be a thing of the past; x-ray images will be transmitted by computers and saved on floppy disc for retrieval and reviewing. As consumers become more educated about health promotion, there will be an elevated demand for alternative and complementary health care choices The promotion of advanced directives, organ donation, and comfort measures for the terminally ill will lead to elevation in hospice care providers. Care modalities which include pain management, spirituality assessment and bereavement counseling will be incorporated into health care organizations and nursing education curriculums. Nursing research will greatly contribute in developing and implementing these therapy options. WORK ENVIRONMENTS Working conditions for nurses are also changing. There is a gradual change towards shorter and more convenient hours of duty, better accommodations and high salaries. Nursings dissatisfaction with the workplace environment is another issue that must be faced when considering the profession's future. This dissatisfaction was multifaceted and included issues such as workplace violence, inability to attend continuing education programs due to heavy workloads, exhaustion, and inability to provide safe patient care. Me and Robinson (2003)
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FUTURISTIC NURSING

DEEPRAJS

state that "nurses need work environments with strong professional practice models that value their work andrecognize their impact on patient outcomes. NURSING SHORTAGE Manpower shortages in health care professions impact the utilization of nurses and advanced practice nurses. This is a particularly important area in times of nursing shortage to be sure that less qualified health care workers are not used to substitute for the sake of expedience and reduced costs. At the same time we need to explore whether more collaborative programs of care can be developed effectively, so that we are not holding on to outmoded ideas of the profession but can develop newer modes, such as advanced practice nursing, to work in interdisciplinary collaboration. Collaborative rather than competitive strategies can strengthen quality of care by better utilizing the expertise of each participant.

GLOBALIZATION Factors contributing to globalization include advances in information technology and communications, international travel and commerce, the growth of multinational corporations. Future nurses will face the challenge of maintaining a holistic approach to client care in an environment of growing specialization. Focus on health promotion, maintenance, and revitalization will continue to grow. COSTS CONTROL CHALLENGE In 1970s, 1980s, and 1990 governmental budget deficits reached all-time high. Government spends re money on health care system. Societies poor, homeless, elderly, substance abuse, AIDS and mentally ill patients are increased into country. The major question yet to be answered is How can we pay for health care for these people and the numbers are expected to be increased? The central and state governments are seeking to answer that question. The next decades will see hospital closing is record numbers, pressures continuing to mount from business community forcing changes in financial health Care reforms. THE NURSING PROFESSION IN 21 ST CENTURIES This is a time of confusion within health care systems all around the world. The economic downturn in the global society has impacted on health care. In many places services have been cut and access to services reduced. In addition, new diseases such as AIDS, Cancer SARS and the threat of bio-terrorism have entered our lives. New technologies and treatments occur rapidly, but are often expensive and these advances can be difficult to finance. Patients are moved out of hospital rapidly, and those that remain are more acutely ill than they have been in the past. Those discharged patients often need more assistance at home and in the community than in previous years, and those services can also be expensive. Nurses are a vital part of the health care system, but nursing shortages have appeared in many areas, the nursing profession needs to begin to recognize new trends and patterns in21st century that are emerging in health care.

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DEEPRAJS

NURSING PRACTICE 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The Practice in a cost containment environment (cost-effective and high quality care) The mission of health care is being redefined. Environment for bed side care are changing. Care is shifting from hospital based to community based care. Hospital nursing will continue to become more selective and specialized. Collaborative, interdisciplinary practice models will come into vogue in all setting. Communication, computers and information networks will erase boundaries created by distance and inaccessibility to physical facilities. 8. Greater emphasis will be placed on the ethical component of care. NURSING EDUCATION 1. Major curriculum changes for graduate nursing education will be necessary. 2. Educational pathway for advance practice nurses in clinical practice will become more distinct. 3. Distance education will assist nurses in lifelong learning NURSING RESEARCH 1. Research priority will be outcome measurement studies that demonstrate cost-effective care. 2. Emphasis will be on collaborative, multi-displinary and multicenter research studies. 3. Development of stronger Evidence base through rigorous methods and multiple, confirmatory strategies. CONCLUSION Clearly, nursing's future does indeed include manifold opportunities and challenges. The profession must not be complacent but it must become proactive in shaping its future, otherwise someone else will do it for us. We can say that the time is short, resources are scarce, and issues are critical". Nursing must act now in a unified voice with a resolved spirit to determine its own destiny.