Institute of Medicine: The Future of Nursing

In 2010 the Institute of Medicine (IOM), in collaboration with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), published a landmark report titled, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health which included several key recommendations for nursing in the United States. Following the publication of this report, the RWJF announced that California was one of nine states chosen for a two-year grant to advance state and regional strategies aimed at creating a more highly educated, diverse nursing workforce. Coalitions in each of these states are working with academic institutions and employers on implementing sophisticated strategies to help nurses get higher degrees in order to improve patient care and help fill faculty and advanced practice nursing roles. California is encouraging strong partnerships between community colleges and universities to make it easier for nurses to transition to higher degrees.

The California Action Coalition serves as the driving force for the implementation of the IOM report recommendations in this state and includes a diverse group of nearly 700 nurses and other health-care leaders who are engaged in creating the blueprint for the implementation of the recommendations. The Coalition leadership includes an Executive Committee, Leadership Council, Recommendation Workgroups, and Regional Groups. Workgroups are fully established for each of the eight recommendations in the IOM report. The Board of Registered Nursing’s Executive Officer currently serves as co-chair on one of the Recommendation Workgroups.