Healthcare Reform : The United States ( U.s. )

Current trends in healthcare are leading to more complex, advanced patient care and needs. Hospitals and patient services are now in need of highly skilled, trained, and educated professionals to deliver this care. The impact of these trends extend into the profession of nursing, where employers are taking a closer look at the outcomes of patient care delivered by ADN graduates vs. BSN prepared nurses. Although

An ongoing debate for the requirements to become a Registered Nurse (RN) has been unsettled. Several different educational pathways lead to an RN licensure; however, the minimum educational requirements must be standardized at the baccalaureate level for several reasons. Spetz and Bates (2013) published that a growing number of hospitals prefer hiring nurses with a Bachelor Science in Nursing (BSN) as this increases the status of the nursing profession (p. 1). Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), as well as a certificate on-the-job training Diploma are two other educational pathways to become an RN, which can be disadvantageous to the nursing profession in several ways (Tollick 2013; Spetz and Bates 2013). If entry-level nurses

Healthcare systems and the way safe, quality health care is delivered are continually changing to better serve patients and communities. Professional nursing practice is a large component in the healthcare system today. Back in the 1960s, professional nursing leaders tried to adopt the bachelor degree programs as the only educational track to become a registered nurse (Creasia & Friberg, 2011). Due to nursing shortages and demands this motive did not hold fast. Individuals entering the nursing profession today must first decide which educational pathway to take to become a Registered Nurse (RN).

With an ever-increasing body of knowledge in the field of nursing, more education is being required to enter the field of nursing. Many healthcare institutions are raising the educational requirements in order to become employed or maintain employment in their facilities. Healthcare organizations are transitioning to hiring registered nurses (RN) who have a higher level of education, such as, a graduate from a Baccalaureate Degree Nursing (BSN) program. The goal of these institutions is to have nurses with a broader array of skills that can meet the growing demands of our patient population. BSN prepared nurses are recognized for their well-rounded skills in critical thinking, management, case management and health promotion versus Associate Degree nurses (ADN)/Diploma nurses that focus on direct patient care.

As popular as the ADN is today, there is a huge momentum to encourage nurses to receive their BSN instead of an ADN. Nurses that are already entering the workforce at the BSN level are not only more skilled at following and understanding evidenced based practice, but they are also more prepared to go on to school to complete their masters or doctorate degrees. In the changing face of healthcare, more nurses with advanced degrees will be needed to provide primary care as in the role of nurse practitioners. APRNs are going to be in higher demand in community care, public health nursing, evidence based practice, research, and leadership. Shortages of nurses in these positions create a “barrier to advancing the profession and improving the delivery of care to patients” (IOM, 2010, p. 170). Shortages of APRNs and the increasing need for nurse practitioners to provide primary care is why the IOM is recommending to increase the amount of BSN educated nurses entering the workforce to 80% and to double the number of doctorate nurses by 2020 (IOM, 2010, p. 173) The goal to increase the nursing workforce to 80% BSN educated nurses and double the amount of nurses with doctorate degrees is a formidable goal, but increasingly necessary. Patients are becoming more complex inside and outside of the hospital setting with chronic multiple comorbidities. BSN educated nurses are not only better prepared to care for these

With the passing of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 approximately 32 million more people will be insured throughout the United States. The need for healthcare workers and providers will be in drastic demand to provide care to these insured Americans. The 2010 IOM report details out how the advanced practice nurse can be a valuable asset in primary, chronic and transitional care and their skill set should be used to promote better healthcare across the nation (IOM, 2010). This impact of this report should help progress advanced practice nurse’s ability to practice without individual state regulation and be governed under one body to server in and outside of the hospital setting

In 2014, the US entered into the force sensational health care reform of the protection of patients in the United States, which is called The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Under this reform, all the citizens and residents of the country are required to have health insurance. It has also caused many discussions and opinions among people. Supporters of it say that this is a significant step forward, since there is no company that can refuse a person in the insurance policy. However, opponents believe that this reform will only worsen the condition of the Americans. The current health care reform has its drawbacks, such as increased fees for insurance, and the impossibility of choice, therefore, it is necessary for change.

One common theme that has resurfaced throughout the entire Obama administration and has created a great deal of focus and debate is health care reform. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) which was introduced by Obama in 2010 creates a new structure of health care. It transforms health care from “late-stage, high intensity, illness focused, tertiary, interventional health service to a much stronger value driven focus on achieving the highest levels of health” (Porter-O’Grady, 2014, p. 65). Through this act, legislation has been created that regulates the way hospitals and physicians are reimbursed, which is built on evidenced-based, quality health care outcomes that are cost effective without infringing upon patient satisfaction. At the heart of this debate is the impact on nursing care, for nursing is the largest health care professional as well as the largest component of health care costs. Any change in the health care reimbursement will greatly affect the nursing practice (Buerhaus, 2010). In order to fully understand the impact of this health care reform, one must understand that health care reform is not a new concept. Health care reform has been transforming since the 1800s.

Nursing is about providing the best possible holistic care for the patient and family. At the same time there’s an imbalance of patient care regarding education and knowledge being provided by nurses. As a nurse I believe we all owe it to ourselves, the profession, and the patient to provide the best possible care. According to American Nurses Association (ANA) online article “Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.” In order to better achieve the nursing ideals of the American Nurses Association we must improve patient care by requiring hospital nurses to become BSN nurses.

With the implementation of two milestone in the healthcare system, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Health care education and reconciliation act of 2010. The ACA assist in easy access to high-quality and cost-effective and also assist in the shift of the nation’s health care system in the direction of primary and preventive care. Also the health care education and reconciliation act is an initiative to motivate nurses and provide grants and scholarships to acquire higher education and take active part in the reformed health care system. In order to create the health care system which focus on primary and preventive care, the role of nurses is very vital and important especially the advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) (Implementing Health Care Reform: Issues for Nursing, 2010). American Nurses Association always advocate and nurture nurses including APRNs and Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) also acknowledged and recognized the role of APRNs in the provision of primary and preventive care. This acknowledgement of PPACA open the new horizon for the APRNs in the transformed patient-centered care system (Haney, 2010). In this presentation, the writer will discuss new emerging care delivery model which are mentioned in the PPACA. These delivery model involve interdisciplinary and care management services of RNs (The National Academies Press, 2011).

During the formation of the United States of America, the founding fathers had difficulty to agree on common issues due to their conflicting political stances. The intention of each political party is to form a solution that is in the best interest of the citizens in the U.S and of how to govern the US following its independence from Great Britain. It is safe to conclude that some Americans base their decisions on family affiliations rather than viewing each economic, social, and political problem differently to make an informed decision. The presidential nomination of then Senator Barack Obama marked the country's breakthrough in recent years during the 2008 election. Trends showed favoritism among the young, college-aged population when he ran for office his first time. He won their votes, along with other voters, based on general social and economic proposals he intends to solve. During the President's first and second term, his administration seeks to resolve the healthcare concern, a major political and economic problem, which is causing the country's deficit to swell. On March 23, 2010, President Obama (Whitehouse.gov, 2014) signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), commonly known as "Obamacare," into law. Unfortunately, the United States of America have not come to a unanimous agreement about Obamacare. All together it seems not every person will approve every presidential decision in the country, but Obama’s health care act has sparked some more

In my view The Patients’ Choice Act that was introduced by Paul Ryan in 2009 would have been a better choice for the new health care reform than The Affordable Care Act. Even though there is no health care crisis of the uninsured, Ryan’s plan involved incentives for prevented care that could lower cost of premiums and encourage healthier lifestyles. Under The Patients’ Choice Act, the American people retain their freedom whether to have health care or not; however the ACA has a personal mandate that requires individuals to carry health care insurance or face a fine (tax). Ryan’s plan would have ensure universal affordable health care for all Americans without increasing government spending.

Health care in the United States needs to be reformed to be more equitable to all citizens regardless of their race and financial situation. Those in charge of reforming health care should consider the principles of social justice outlined in Catholic social teaching as guidelines for ethical health care reform. Those principles are: the dignity of human beings, the common good, solidarity, and subsidiarity. These four social-justice principles provide a foundation for a virtuous and economically sound improvement in medical resource allocation; a Christian prescription for health care reform. It is clear that we have a duty to improve access, affordability, and quality of care for all citizens because of their human dignity. Frequently missing from the discussion of health care reform is the role of personal responsibility. Pope Benedict XVI has emphasized the point: “In the name of freedom, there has to be a correlation between rights and duties, by which every person is called to assume responsibility for his or her choices” (Reid, 32). Health care should be available to everyone regardless of work status, financial situation, race, gender or theological views.

“We will pass reform that lowers cost, promotes choice, and provides coverage that every American can count on. And we will do it this year.” The preceding is a powerful statement from the newly elected President Barak Obama. One of the main aspects of both political campaigns was health care reform. The above quote shows passion and encouragement, but the quotes about health care do not end there. Georgian republican gubernatorial candidate and health care policy maker John Oxendine expressed: “Their proposal would virtually devastate the private healthcare sector in this country along with competition and patient choice, by replacing it with bureaucratic planning and government control. The result of this plan and its one trillion

Many people believe mandatory residency programs for newly licensed nurses are long overdue. The knowledge needed to practice nursing has grown to include health policy, ethics, public health, research, healthcare delivery improvements, as well as leadership skills. Nurses are part of the multi-disciplinary team and must work together with healthcare providers who possess masters or doctoral degrees. Nursing school prepares nurses with the basic information they need to know in order to practice safe nursing. However, modern nurses are faced with ever increasing demands. New nurses must know how to collaborate with the healthcare team, manage their priorities, stay organized and recognize life-threatening situations. Many new grads are overwhelmed with the demands of nursing, which can lead to compromised patient care and safety. Formalized, supervised guidance will improve patient care and retain nurses. The study also recommended doubling the amount of nurses with a masters or doctoral degree by 2020 in order to provide an adequate supply of nurses who are able to assume nurse faculty, primary care providers, and researcher positions.