The Future of Nursing

The National Academy of Medicine & The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The United States has some of the poorest health outcomes. Health disparities run deep, leaving many people without equal opportunity or access to care. As long-time advocates for health equity, nurses are in unique positions to address the root causes of poor health, reduce health disparities, and improve the health and well-being of the nation. In this 8-part series from the National Academy of Medicine, we explore practical strategies for the nursing profession to advance health equity. We’ll hear stories and experiences of frontline nurses and other health experts from a wide range of settings. These strategies reflect the recommendations from the report The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. If you’re a nurse, involved in any health sector, or want to know how to create a better future for all Americans through improved health outcomes, this podcast is for you.

Episodes

  1. EPISODE 2

    The Introduction to The Future of Nursing 2020-2030

    Despite the U.S. spending more money on healthcare than any other country, vast health inequities still exist. Access to and opportunity for quality healthcare is not equal. While the COVID-19 pandemic did not create health inequities, it brought renewed attention to the fact that our health is determined  by many factors outside of medical care. The health of the nation is at stake, the need for change is urgent. Nurses play a pivotal role in addressing health inequities across the nation. In this episode, we begin exploring the influence nurses have on healthcare, why nurses are key leaders in addressing health equity, and what practical work must be done to better equip nurses in this mission. Nurse Practitioner Dr. Scharmaine Lawson takes us through the stories of frontline nurses and other health experts to learn how they are confronting health disparities, and also introduces us to the report that provides practical guidance and recommendations for nurses addressing health equityーThe Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieving Health Equity.  Dr. Scharmaine Lawson is a nationally recognized and award-winning nurse practitioner. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. In addition, Dr. Lawson was the winner of the 2013 Healthcare Hero award for the New Orleans City Business Magazine, and 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year award for the ADVANCE for Nurse Practitioner magazine. She is also the author of the first Advanced Practice Nurse children’s book series titled “Nola The Nurse”. The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the official policies, recommendations, and stances of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine.

    24 min
  2. EPISODE 6

    Lifting Nurse Practice Barriers

    Nurses have substantial expertise that can help more people access high quality care. But often, nurses across the nation are restricted from practicing to the full scope of their education and training.  Removing barriers to nursing scope of practice is critical to advancing health equity. In this episode, we hear stories from advanced practice nurses who were sometimes not allowed to practice at the top of their education and training. They, along with other health experts, share how they responded, how these barriers impact health outcomes, and how they can be removed. We also explore how valuing nurses’ contributions through reformed payment systems allows nurses to further address health inequities.  In this episode, we hear from Dr. Mary Joy Garcia-Dia, president of the Philippine Nurses Association of America Dr. Ashley Darcy-Mahoney, nurse practitioner Dr. Mary Wakefield,  the co-chair of the Future of Nursing 2020 2030 committee Ms. Maureen Bisognano, president emerita and senior fellow at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Dr. Marshall Chin, general internist and health equity researcher at the University of Chicago For more information on this topic, we encourage you to read The Future of Nursing Report 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. You can access the full report here.  The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the official policies, recommendations, and stances of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine.

    31 min
  3. EPISODE 8

    Strengthen and Protect Nurses

    Nurses have experienced some of the most intense moments in nursing history during the COVID-19 pandemic. They worked to protect the public, often at the risk of their own physical and mental health. Yet, many nurses expressed that they did not feel equipped or trained to respond to this pandemic. Nurses are on the frontline of public health emergencies, including pandemics, environmental disasters, and mass casualty events. The nursing workforce must be prepared to respond to these events, and be protected as they respond. In this episode, frontline nurses share about their experiences responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health emergencies, and explore how nurses should be strengthened, prepared, and protected for the next emergency.  In this episode, we hear from: Angela Gray, public health nurse, Nursing Director for Berkeley County and Morgan County Health Departments Dr. Michael McGinnis, Leonard D. Schaeffer Executive Officer of the National Academy of Medicine Dr. Roberta Lavin, nurse practitioner, Professor and PhD Program Director at The University of New Mexico Derek DaSilva, intensive care unit nurse Marcus Henderson, psychiatric mental health nurse For more information on this topic, we encourage you to read The Future of Nursing Report 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. You can access the full report here.  The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the official policies, recommendations, and stances of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine.

    28 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

The United States has some of the poorest health outcomes. Health disparities run deep, leaving many people without equal opportunity or access to care. As long-time advocates for health equity, nurses are in unique positions to address the root causes of poor health, reduce health disparities, and improve the health and well-being of the nation. In this 8-part series from the National Academy of Medicine, we explore practical strategies for the nursing profession to advance health equity. We’ll hear stories and experiences of frontline nurses and other health experts from a wide range of settings. These strategies reflect the recommendations from the report The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. If you’re a nurse, involved in any health sector, or want to know how to create a better future for all Americans through improved health outcomes, this podcast is for you.