Transforming roles of nursing professional development practitioners

Abstract

<p>Consumers and payers demand highly reliable, accessible, and affordable healthcare (Findlay, 2012). In 2010 legislators dramatically altered the trajectory of healthcare with passage of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2015). New healthcare regulations consisting of comprehensive health insurance reforms and new care delivery and payment models have transformed the industry. As these unprecedented reforms destabilize the already fragile healthcare system and critical staffing shortages loom over the horizon, healthcare executives are facing new mandates for population health management, higher quality, patient safety and experiences, and lower healthcare costs (Nash, 2012). Similarly, workers are challenged with new stressors such as diminished time with patients, new and evolving information technologies, fewer staff resulting in work overload, and lack of training, mentorship, and advancement opportunities (Fields, 2011). As a result, today&rsquo;s nursing professional development (NPD) practitioners must meet the continuing education needs of nurses in this complex, highly regulated, stressful environment.&nbsp;</p>