CNE Article
The Future of (Psychiatric) Nursing
Shirley A. Smoyak, RN, PhD, FAAN
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services
August 2011 - Volume 49 · Issue 8: 35-41
DOI: 10.3928/02793695-20110706-07
Abstract
The Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) recent report,
The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, describes a number of problems in nursing practice, education, and leadership—as well as recommendations to address them.
However, these problems are not really new; they were discussed in earlier publications and addressed in the 1970s by the
National Joint Practice Commission (NJPC). In this article, I review these early publications and the work of the NJPC as
background for the IOM report. I also outline each recommendation in the report, raising questions about the “how to” and
sustainability of these suggestions. To move psychiatric-mental health nursing forward, the best first step would be to find
out more about the specialty and the nurses who practice it, so the IOM recommendations can begin to be achieved.
Dr. Smoyak is Professor, College of Nursing, Division of Continuing Studies, Institute of Health, Health Care Policy, and
Aging Research, Rutgers—The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
The author discloses that she has no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly
or indirectly in this activity, including research support. Dr. Smoyak was not involved in the peer review or decision-making
process for this manuscript.
Address correspondence to Shirley A. Smoyak, RN, PhD, FAAN, 4 Roney Road, Edison, NJ 08820-3208; e-mail: smoyak@docs.rutgers.edu.
Received: May 11, 2011
Accepted: June 16, 2011
Posted Online: July 15, 2011
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