Nursing professionals must improve quality; respond to clinical complexity, and lower costs. The increasing ratio of critical care/specialty beds and chronic conditions necessitates community-based disease management and prevention.
Fremont, CA: The millennium presents unique challenges and opportunities for nursing and academic institutions. Socioeconomic factors, healthcare delivery developments, and nursing-specific professional issues drive changes in nursing education. Watch out for trends impacting nursing education.
Changing Demographics and Increasing Diversity
The US population shifts have significantly influenced healthcare priorities and nursing practice. With an increasing life span, providers must adapt to chronic and acute conditions. Diversity in the population affects illness prevalence, necessitating changes in practice respecting diverse values. Nursing practice, education, and research must focus on spiritual, physical and psychosocial health.
The Technological Explosion
The rapid growth of information technology has significantly impacted healthcare delivery and nursing education. Advancements in processing capacity, speed, and affordability have led to an explosion of applications. Telehealth and telemedicine are becoming more prevalent, with nanotechnology introducing new clinical diagnosis and treatment methods. Nurses of the 21st century need to be skilled in using computer technology through distance learning and preclinical simulation laboratories.
