Recently, I asked a question on my LinkedIn profile, that received a lot of attention. The responses that followed were inspiring, upbeat, and amazing. This was beautifully surprising for me… so much so, I would like to take this space to share with you these phenomenal responses.
So, the question was this, NURSES: Fast Forward 10 years from now. What changes would you like to see nursing has made? And here we go with a future of forward thinking and professional success…
[Tweet “Here Are the Top Tips for a Vision of Success for Nursing”]
- “I want to see nurses sitting on boards and helping create the policies in Health & Wellness & how we care for populations. I want to see all nurses getting along respecting one another & collaborating as professionals & team players! I want to see nurses as entrepreneurs making an even bigger impact in their communities & in the world than they can at their day jobs!”
- “10 years from now, wouldn’t it be beautiful to be bonded over fair treatment, working without high patient ratio and staff turnover, bullying among nurses and physician to nurses, increase in career happiness, increase in nurse pay and general worth, and a more cohesive environment all around? That’s what I want in 10 years. Now, that would be something.”
- “More opportunities for new graduate nurses such as nurse residency programs, which has proving with 1 year of mentorship and guidance to be successful. Secondly, with the nursing shortages in education or bedside free 2 years community ADN degrees. Without the looming cloud of debt, many nurses can go back to school and advance their degrees or certification. Third, advance practice nurses with more autonomy. Finally, undergraduate nursing curriculum teaching the importance of self care.”
- “In 10 years I foresee nursing starting to really incorporate tele-medicine into how we care for and assist with the care of our patients.”
- “I would like to see more student exchanges between countries. We can send graduate students to other countries and vice versa.”
“I would say increasing opportunities for new RN’s to enroll in the Nurse Residency Programs! I researched the statistics last year and the studies show how much they are helping both the nurse AND the hospitals. I highly recommend finding one fresh out of school. I also would like to see more emphasis on nurse satisfaction as important at patient satisfaction . Extending a caring emphasis to the RN as well as the patient will bring about a more functional relationship for everyone which in turn will increase the bottom line all around!”- “As a non health care professional, my suggestion is for state mandated average patient ratio from 2:1-3:1. I talk to RN’s all day and I feel so bad for them when they tell me that they have crazy patient ratios because of a understaffed facility or poor management.”
WOW- re-reading these responses again makes my skin tingle. And brings a huge smile to my face! Synthesizing what was said above, the themes I hear is that nursing will be cohesive. Workplace conditions will be enjoyable and teams will get along. New nurses, as well as those who want to travel, will have opportunity to learn and grow from each other and other cultures. Nurses will be creative in the ways that they deliver care and patients will be highly involved in healing. The nurse will focus on treating the patient, as well as their self.
Love this vision! Who’s with me?
What did we miss? I’d love to hear additional suggestions from you in the comments below on how we can help your nursing teams love the profession of nursing again. What is your vision for the future of the nursing profession? Thanks for reading!
About the Author: As a keynote speaker, bestselling author and virtual conference host, Elizabeth partners with hospitals, organizations, associations, and nursing groups to help transform the field of nursing from the inside out. During the National Nurse’s Week online conference, ‘The Art of Nursing‘, Elizabeth supports nurses in achieving professional goals of continued learning and development. Click here to find out more about how The Art of Nursing appreciates and celebrates our profession in a meaningful way.
I would like to add to these formidable statements. I would like to see standardized documentation not only across the country but internationally as well. Additionally, the next ten years could incorporate increased use of forensics in various aspects of care and thereby improve patient safety.
Hi Connie,
Thanks for coming by, reading the post, and sharing your comments. Much appreciated. And you make very good points. Having more streamlined documentation would make for a more smoother workflow. Interesting point about the forensics; I had not thought of that before. Thank you!
As a Clinical Nurse Specialist working within the NGO sector I also ask that we are not forgotten…or seen as less vital to the shaping of improved health of our communities. We need to reinforce links across agencies and disciplines, not just focus on those in DHB’s. I concur with all of the items on your ‘wish list.’
Great addition, Angela. I am so glad that you shared this here. Another great perspective for the nursing future! Thank you.
I would like to see more nurse leaders fully representing nurses in clinical team meetings. Nurse managers leading MDT meetings and supporting their staff to have protected times to research and implement evidence-based practice at par with other clinicians. Wards being overstaffed with a high job satisfaction leading to the world class standard of care.
Great additions. Thank you for your comments, Lindiwe!