Allow nurses to fulfill role

By Jimmy A. Reyes

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During Nurses Week, we celebrate the diversity, professionalism, uniqueness and caring approach that each nurse and nurse practitioner brings to the lives of patients, their families and community members.

Many of us may have had the privilege to be taken care of by a nurse or nurse practitioner, whose holistic care made a difference during a difficult time in our lives. Yet, they are often not recognized for the hard work and dedication toward their patients and communities - many nurses I know don't want that recognition; they just want to help others.

As our society ages and with the 2010 Affordable Care Act, nurses will continue to play a pivotal role in the implementation, evaluation and sustainment of its objectives. However, a number of barriers, such as preventing nurses and nurse practitioners to practice to the full extent of their education and training, continue to hinder them from responding effectively and ethically to the rapid changes in our health care system. These barriers need to be removed to ensure these professionals can lead change and advance society's health.

Another concern is the rising and high turnover rates among new nurses, which amplifies the importance of transition-to-practice residency programs to refine skills needed to provide quality and safe care. Most residency programs are anchored in large health care systems, however emphasis also should include the development and evaluation of these programs in community health care clinics.

Recently, the University of Iowa was awarded funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to create a tool kit for health care organizations to implement competency-based nurse residency program.

I encourage the new high school graduates to consider a career in nursing. The Institute of Medicine nursing report clearly articulates that to improve the quality of patient care and outcomes, a greater emphasis should be placed on ensuring a more diverse nursing work force.

Also, innovative approaches to promote leaders within the nursing profession are needed to prepare them to redesign our health care system, contribute to delivering evidence-based outcomes and work collaboratively with other health care providers. Further, a career in nursing is rewarding.

I urge every nurse and nurse practitioner to continue mentoring newer nurses and lead with kindness. The future of our nation's health relies on the investment in innovative, diverse, highly skilled, competent and inspired professionals who can improve health and health care for everyone.

l Jimmy A. Reyes is dean of nursing and associate professor, Kirkwood Community Comments: Jimmy.reyes@kirkwood.edu