Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1111624
Lauren Spilsbury RN, MSN Vice President, Patient Care Services Redlands Community Hospital Nurse practitioners will need to fill the gaps as primary care providers and will need to be allowed to independently prac- tice to the fullest extent of their scope. I think every nurse should learn as much as they can, never allow a skill to deterio- rate, be open to new opportu- nities and challenges and actively seek out mentorship and experiences with which to grow. Own your practice! Nurture and protect it because it belongs to you. Jean Giggers RN, MSN, RNC-OB, CCM Director of Nurse Utilization Management L.A. Care Health Plan There is a massive industry push to manage the care of patients where they are in order to mini- mize hospital admissions. As the population of inpatients slowly declines, I anticipate that the need for community nurses will increase. In addition to community- based nurses, I foresee a signif- icant increase in demand for nurses in care management, geriatrics and informatics. Care managers will be the drivers of care coordination in the com- munity and in managing a hos- pital's resources. Today's healthcare space has sharply increased the value of APRNs. Lately, I've seen a resurgence in doctor's visits in the home, whether in person or via telehealth, which APRNs will be willing and able to provide. A BSN is now the baseline for hiring. Evidence continues to prove that bachelor's-pre- pared nurses are the better investment. Robyn M. Nelson RN, Ph.D., MSN Dean, College of Nursing West Coast University When I entered nursing school in 1967, we assume the BSN would soon become the expected entry-level degree for nurses. I'm surprised and disappointed that 50 years later, we're still looking at entry-level ADNs and diploma graduates. I believe RNs should be required to complete their BSN within 10 years as a condi- tion of licensure. Nurses shouldn't be satisfied with being the least-educated peo- ple at the healthcare decision- making table. Annette Sy RN, DNP, NE-BC Chief Nursing Officer Keck Medical Center of USC I cannot stress enough the need for BSNs in our acute care environments. Our patients are more acutely ill and have shorter stays. A BSN education gives nurses the training they need to manage complex patients in the acute care environment and partner with multiple disciplines. Studies have shown that medical centers with higher proportions of BSN-prepared nurses have better patient out- comes. Q & A SPECIALTIES AND EDUCATION cont'd. Lauren Spilsbury visits Redlands Community Hospital's newly-opened emergency department with staff nurse Virgil Del Prado, RN (left) and nurse manager Cathy Hill, RN, BSN 38 Working Nurse l WorkingNurse.com Celebrating National Nurses Week April 29–June 10, 2019