Anticipated Nursing Challenges and the Importance of Addressing Them: A Comprehensive Analysis

QUESTION

Read the paragraph below:

“Two issues and/or challenges facing nursing over the next 10 years with a context of the problem

“Health care has certainly faced numerous challenges and resultant modifications especially in current times. The recent Covid 19 pandemic is an immediate example of how quickly health care delivery can change in response to urgent demands, even at a global level. In order to mitigate the rising costs of health care and the disparities faced by certain populations, it is expected that primary care will be moving more and more from clinics and doctor offices to your nearest Walmart or even to the patient’s home via telehealth. Although this does help to reduce costs and creates better health care access for many, the effects can become overwhelming to the nursing profession as a whole. According to Zimlichman et al. (2021), Walmart’s convenient health supercenters, with an aggressive cash-pay pricing strategy of $40 primary care visits and $25 dental exams, not only bypasses insurance companies, but also reduces administrative costs. It is plausible, then, to surmise that not only will jobs be lost and salaries greatly reduced as a consequence of these nontraditional partners and competitors, but that nurses will also face greater strain as quality will potentially be trumped by quantity (e.g., number of patients visited).

Aside from the strain that nontraditional healthcare platforms can potentially cause to the nursing profession in the future, nurses will also continue to face resistance from the medical profession as they remain steadfast in the expansion of their scope of practice. For instance, according to the American Medical Association’s website, the AMA vigorously defends the practice of medicine against scope of practice expansions by nonphysicians that threaten patient safety (2023). Moreover, the organization sates that all patients deserve care led by physicians, which they believe are the most highly educated, trained and skilled health care professionals. According to    Schirle et al. (2020), full advancement of the advanced practice nurse’s role can be detrimentally affected by physician opposition to independent APRN practice free from physician oversight or supervision, which can have detrimental effects for the future health of the nation.”

Discuss the accuracy of these statements above and why it is important for healthcare policymaker/nursing leaders to address these two issues to improve nursing in general.

references

American Medical Association [AMA]. (2023). AMA successfully fights scope of practice expansions that threaten patient safety. https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/scope-practice/ama-successfully-                    fights-scope-practice-expansions-threaten

Florida Action Coalition. (n.d.). Campaign for Action. Florida Action Coalition – Campaign for Action

Schirle, L., Norful, A. A., Rudner, N., & Poghosyan, L. (2020). Organizational facilitators and barriers to optimal APRN practice: An integrative review. Health care management review, 45(4), 311-320.                                   https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.0000000000000229

Zimlichman, E., Nicklin, W., Aggarwal, R., & Bates, D. W.  (2021). Health care 2030: The coming transformation. NEJM Catalyst. https://doi.org/10.1056/CAT.20.0569

ANSWER

Anticipated Nursing Challenges and the Importance of Addressing Them: A Comprehensive Analysis

Introduction

The landscape of healthcare is ever-evolving, and nursing faces distinctive challenges and adaptations in response to emerging trends. This essay delves into two pressing issues predicted to impact nursing over the next decade. Through critical evaluation and referencing reputable sources, we explore the accuracy of the statements concerning the expansion of nontraditional healthcare platforms and the resistance faced by nurses in broadening their scope of practice. Furthermore, we emphasize the significance of healthcare policymakers and nursing leaders addressing these challenges to enhance the nursing profession’s overall quality and sustainability.

Accuracy Assessment of the Statements

The statements reflect accurate observations regarding the potential challenges nursing may confront in the coming years. The proliferation of nontraditional healthcare platforms, such as clinics in retail giants like Walmart, signals a shift in care delivery. While this expansion aims to enhance accessibility and reduce costs, concerns arise about potential job loss, reduced salaries, and increased strain on nurses due to the possibility of prioritizing quantity over quality. Similarly, the resistance from the medical profession towards advanced practice nurses’ (APRNs) scope expansion, as indicated by the American Medical Association, illustrates the ongoing struggle between physician-led care and nurse-led care, which can impact APRNs’ advancement and the future health of the nation.

Significance of Addressing the Issues

Nontraditional Healthcare Platforms: Policymakers and nursing leaders must address this challenge to safeguard nursing jobs, ensure fair compensation, and maintain high-quality patient care. By engaging in dialogue with retail healthcare providers and formulating regulations, they can ensure that the shift towards these platforms does not come at the expense of nursing’s professional integrity.

Scope of Practice Expansion: Addressing physician opposition to APRN scope expansion is crucial for advancing nursing practice. Policymakers and nursing leaders should advocate for full utilization of APRNs’ skills, knowledge, and training. Overcoming resistance will not only ensure patient access to high-quality care but also contribute to a diverse and collaborative healthcare workforce.

References

The references cited, such as the American Medical Association’s defense of physician-led care and the research by Schirle et al. and Zimlichman et al., lend credibility to the issues raised in the statements. These references corroborate the need for healthcare policymakers and nursing leaders to address these challenges to improve nursing practice and the overall healthcare landscape.

Conclusion: Navigating Nursing’s Future Challenges

The assertions made in the provided statements resonate with the rapidly evolving healthcare environment. Recognizing the potential impacts of nontraditional healthcare platforms and addressing the scope of practice expansion challenges are imperative to sustaining nursing’s growth, maintaining quality patient care, and achieving optimal patient outcomes. By collaboratively addressing these challenges, healthcare policymakers and nursing leaders can ensure that nursing remains at the forefront of delivering safe, efficient, and patient-centered care, thus shaping a stronger and more resilient healthcare system for the future.