Definition of Advanced Practice and the Dnp Degree

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Module 1: Definition of Advanced Practice and the DNP Degree
Christine Broadaway
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing

Module 1: Definition of Advanced Practice and the DNP Degree
Question 1: Explain why you think the IOM and the RWJF concluded in their report, The Future of Nursing: Focus on Education that nurses need improvement in their educational preparation (DNP Essential #5: Healthcare Policy for Advocacy in Healthcare).
The rapidly evolving world of health-care in the 21st century can be attributed to many factors, ranging from population changes to technological changes. It is inevitable that this transformation will bring about transition and broadening of many healthcare roles, specifically nurses and APRNs. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) make the connection that these ever changing roles, necessarily require improvements and reform in the fundamentals of education of nurses (Institute of Medicine [IOM], 2010).
The need for these broadened nursing roles is primarily brought about by the increase in the elderly population with chronic health problems, the changes that come with the affordable care act of 2010, and advances in technology and communication (IOM, 2010). This results in a need for a focus on chronic complex conditions encompassing both physical and mental aspects of the patient, as well as a better understanding of patient populations. The IOM believes the nursing education system in place tends to align more with the 20th century acute healthcare needs and can be transitioned to the 21st century holistic viewpoint by increasing and improving education requirements (IOM, 2010). Another study supports this idea, stating that nurses without baccalaureate training lack the leadership and experience that is “fundamental to changing and improving healthcare systems

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