Public Policy
The Future of Gerontological Nursing
Angela Nannini, PhD, FNP-C
Journal of Gerontological Nursing
September 2011 - Volume 37 · Issue 9: 11-15
DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20110802-01
Abstract
Spring 2010 marked the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; however, soon after this landmark legislation
passed, legal and political challenges ensued to change key features of the law. In this environment of proposed changes to
transform the U.S. health care system, the Institute of Medicine released its report titled
The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health in October 2010. The groundbreaking consensus report calls for a transformation of nursing at practice, education, and leadership
levels. This article briefly summarizes findings and key recommendations with an emphasis on areas most relevant to the future
of gerontological nursing. In addition, various implementation actions promoted through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s
Future of Nursing Campaign and the AARP Center to Champion Nursing are discussed to encourage gerontological nurses to participate
in current and future debates.
Dr. Nannini is Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts.
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.
Address correspondence to Angela Nannini, PhD, FNP-C, Associate Professor, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Department
of Nursing, 3 Solomont Way, Suite 2, Lowell, MA 01854-5126; e-mail: angela_nannini@uml.edu.
Posted Online: August 17, 2011