The purpose of nursing is to support people in getting and staying well through educating, collaborating with and advocating for the health of the public. This definition covers a variety of roles from health education, consultation and screening (community, workplace) to primary (schools, clinics), secondary (long-term, clinic) and tertiary (institutional) care. Nearly everyone at some time in their life needs and can be served well by consulting a professional nurse.
Registered nurses (RNs) make up the largest health care occupation. There are about 2.6 million nursing jobs (US Dept Labor) in the US and 14.5 million worldwide (WHO).
Even though ninety seven percent of the population, who can effectively use nursing expertise, is not in an institution; sixty percent of nurses work in tertiary institutional nursing roles. This is why when people think of nurses, they think of hospital care.
Thirty percent of nurses work in areas at the cutting edge of the future of health care. They are in independent practice, homes, community clinics, schools, work settings, and provide information via the internet or phone.
Health reform is shifting the perspective for overall health care from illness treatment to health promotion. Health improvement, promotion and wellness are the primary focus of professional nursing.
The demand for nursing is growing. Yet, I propose to you that the largest area of growth or shortage is not in institutional settings. There is an increasing public demand for non-medical, holistic health strategies that can be appropriately and effectively filled by nurses.
The largest expanding need for nurses is not in hospitals. It is in the community.
Health care trends indicate that the aging population desires more knowledge on how to stay or become well, continue to live independently and use less restrictive or expensive health treatment. Increasingly people are paying out of pocket for alternative solutions to get and stay healthy.
As the allopathic health care system becomes more diverse, specialized and costly; people are turning to the internet for knowledgeable guidance to navigate the myriad of options, treatment approaches and costs. The internet is a poor substitute for quality nursing assessment and guidance. Some nurses are becoming Nurse Navigators to address this expanding need.
The emerging trends foretell an environment that is ripe for experienced nurses, who are willing to shift their old hospital based paradigm toward creating new caring delivery models for direct service to clients and patients seeking improved quality of health throughout the life span.
From prenatal care to hospice care, demand for the (he)art and science of nursing is increasing. The door of opportunity is wide open for nurses in health reform.
Tags: aging population, community health care, education consultation, future of health care, health care trends, health strategies, holistic health, largest health care occupation, nurses work, professional nurse