The Future of Nursing: Leading Change in the 21st Century | Maryville Nursing (2024)

The nursing profession is undergoing a period of rapid growth and change. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the number of nursing jobs to grow by more than 400,000 from 2016 to 2026. This increase of 15% is double the national average for all jobs. If you’re excited by the prospect of entering the nursing field, this trend indicates increased opportunities to secure a rewarding career.

The newest generation of nurses is experiencing changes to the field so they can build upon the traditional skills of providing high-quality patient care, performing various medical tasks, and assisting doctors. While these abilities remain vital, exciting technological advancements and increased access to care for traditionally underserved populations give nurses the opportunity to adapt and provide more immediate, personalized care.

The future of nursing depends on experienced nurses taking a leadership role to train incoming generations, a community-based approach to care, and a focus on demographic shifts amidst a market that is facing a shortage of primary and specialty care doctors. Earning anMSN degree onlinecan be a decisive step toward attaining such a position.

Millennials Entering the Healthcare Workforce

Millennials, defined by Pew Research Center as adults born between 1981 and 1996, will be leading much of the near-future growth in the nursing industry. According to an article in HealthExec, which cites a study by Health Affairs, millennials are twice as likely as baby boomers to become nurses.

With the Pew Research Center reporting more than 10,000 boomers retiring each day, this influx of millennials will support the continued stability of the medical field. In 2017, the New York Post drew on data from the BLS to report that both emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and physician assistants were among the top 10 industries dominated by millennials; each had more than 38% of its workforce belonging to that generation.

Further, those nurses are increasingly educated — a Pew Research study in 2018 found that while only 15% of men born between 1925 and 1942 attended some college, 29% of millennial men opt for post-secondary education, and 46% of millennial women have earned a bachelor’s degree. This implies those who pursue a career in nursing will likely secure higher education than in the past.

As more millennials enter the workforce as nurses, they will find themselves in an exciting position. With new technology and advanced medical procedures to leverage, such as biomedical devices, robot-assisted surgeries, stem cell research, and more, the future of nursing offers an opportunity for nurses to become leaders in this evolving field. In addition, a solid education will provide the foundational skills they need to succeed, and the experience of their mentors will help ease the transition the nursing field will face in the coming decades.

Community Health Leaders

An advanced nursing degree could support you on the journey to a leadership role that impacts the greater community. The modern world of nursing strives to serve more traditionally under-reached populations. These initiatives can provide an opportunity to work in a variety of nursing roles, including nurse practitioner, nurse specialist, nursing supervisor, and more.

As community health leaders, nurses must understand the impact of their care, not just on an individual basis, but for the public as a whole. They should know what medical resources are available in the area where they live and practice, and its specific medical challenges. With this knowledge, they can take proactive steps to prepare for community health issues, allowing them to better serve their patients instead of reacting to problems as they arise. In addition, their expertise influences other local medical professionals as well as the population at large.

Opportunities to take on the role as a community health leader continue to grow. Nurse practitioners, for example, may anticipate 31% more jobs between 2016 and 2026 according to the BLS — double the rate of nursing overall. This increase in highly educated, specialized nursing positions indicates an opportunity for the future of nursing to provide a far higher level of care with patients.

Expanded Scope of Practice

As the generational and technological landscape of the nursing profession continues to change, so too will the profession itself. This means expanded opportunities for nurses to see patients, provide more personalized care, and perform advanced duties based on their specific area of expertise. For example, a nurse who specializes in pediatrics will be better equipped to provide care to young children.

Those nurses new to the field will increasingly rely on medical technology. For example, nurses now utilize devices that scan a patient’s body functions, such as glucose levels and cardiovascular health, which improves the effectiveness and efficiency of patient care. In addition, these advancements allow healthcare professionals to monitor patients in settings outside of hospitals. Pop-up clinics, mobile units that travel within areas lacking services offer quality preventive medical care.

While the future of nursing features increasingly advanced technology, the intuitive care of nurses remains vital. Future healthcare professionals, who can take advantage of robust patient data and apply their own knowledge and wisdom, will remain invaluable members of their community and help drive medical improvements.

Become a Leader in the Future of Nursing

If you’re interested in rising to a leadership role as a nurse, look into Maryville University’s BSN, MSN, and Post-Master’s Certificate programs. At Maryville, you can earn your degree online and learn the skills that can prepare you to enter a growing, ever-changing profession. The future of nursing depends on technologically savvy medical professionals to deliver high-quality care from hospitals to homes. Explore Maryville University’s nursing programs today to claim your place as a leader in the field.

  • Master's in Nursing
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Sources

AAMC, New research shows increasing physician shortages in both primary and specialty care

American Nurse Today, “Emerging trends in nursing”

Forbes, “It’s Time To Expand Scope of Practice Laws”

HealthExec, “Millennials will dominate the nursing profession by 2020”

Maryville University, Career Opportunities for MSN Graduates

New York Post, “This is the Most Millennial-Dominated Job in the US”

Pew Research, “Baby Boomers Retire”

Pew Research, “Defining generations: Where Millennials end and Generation Z begins”

Pew Research, “How Millennials Compare With Their Grandparents 50 Years Ago”

Pew Research, “Today’s young workers are more likely than ever to have a bachelor’s degree”

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, “How Nurses Are Caring for Their Communities”

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Nursing”

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Physicians & Surgeons”

The Future of Nursing: Leading Change in the 21st Century | Maryville Nursing (2024)

FAQs

How has nursing changed in the 21st century? ›

The most recent nursing trends have embraced the need for increasing patient access, integrating new technologies, and shifting toward patient-centered care models. The transformation of the nursing role up to this point has been significant, and it will continue to adapt and innovate as the needs of healthcare change.

How will the future of nursing change? ›

To build a future workforce that effectively provides the health and health care that society needs will require a substantial increase in the numbers, types, and distribution of the nursing workforce, as well as an education system that better prepares nurses for practicing in community-based settings with diverse ...

What was one of the major points or recommendations in the Future of Nursing Leading Change Advancing Health Report? ›

Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression. Nurses should be full partners, with physicians and other health professionals, in redesigning health care in the United States.

How to cite the future of nursing leading change advancing health? ›

Suggested Citation

The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/12956.

How has healthcare changed in the 21st century? ›

Enhanced patient and clinician communication. Information technology can change the way individuals receive care and interact with their clinicians. Instead of a $65 office visit and a half-day off work, a 2-minute e-mail communication could meet many patients' needs more responsively and at lower cost.

What is the role of the nurse in leading change? ›

As nurse leaders develop change management skills, they are able to assist staff in navigating clinical practice changes and professional development. Change models are widely recognized to provide a useful framework in the change management process.

What the future holds for nurses? ›

Nursing Leadership: Empowering Change

Nurses have always been at the forefront of patient care, but in the future, their role will extend beyond the bedside. As healthcare systems grapple with challenges, nurses will step up to the plate and take on leadership roles within their organizations.

How have nurses changed over the years? ›

As time went on, hospitals grew larger, and education became more comprehensive. Nurses of all races and backgrounds were accepted into programs and became part of the workforce. Technology began to play a larger role in nursing. Advanced patient beds, stethoscopes and blood pressure devices became the norm.

What is the most significant change in the nursing history? ›

One prominent change in the evolution of the nursing profession is formalized education. The first training programs opened at hospitals in the late-19th century. Student nurses received clinical instruction in exchange for providing care to patients.

What is the best change theory of nursing? ›

One of the most influential change models in nursing is Lewin's Change Model, developed by Kurt Lewin, a renowned psychologist. This model consists of three key stages: unfreezing, changing, and refreezing. The stages of Lewin's Change Model include: Unfreezing.

How will nursing change in the future? ›

Evolving Curriculum for Future Nurses

The nursing curriculum of tomorrow will include a greater emphasis on care across the lifespan and within a climate of diversity. Cultural competency is crucial for addressing enduring gaps in patient outcomes across demographic groups.

What are the main focuses of the 21st century health care? ›

Focus on excellence and the patient experience. Responsiveness to determinants of health. Management of chronic conditions. Care coordination across the continuum.

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