In January 2019, when Director-General of the World Health Organization proposed making 2020 the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, there was little indication that with or without the designation, 2020 would prove to be a landmark year for nurses around the world.
Presently, nurses are being widely called upon to find, shape and lead innovative solutions to address critical patient needs amid the COVID-19 crisis, resulting in a dramatic shift of systemic barriers that have historically kept nurses from providing care at their full potential (Kunic, 20131).
From producing and distributing protective equipment, to operationalizing drive-through testing tents; developing new staffing models; piloting and proving that putting IV pumps outside of patients’ rooms could help preserve PPE and much more—nurses are standing strong on the frontlines of this global health crisis, using their first-hand patient experience and clinical know-how to drive innovation, lead care teams and save lives.
Nevertheless, the essential and tireless role nurses are playing in ensuring strong, resilient health systems amid the COVID-19 pandemic begs several questions: What will healthcare and the future nursing workforce look like once the COVID-19 crisis subsides? What skills and experiences will nurses need to thrive in the healthcare environments of tomorrow? How can nurses unleash the power of their innovative mindset and leadership skills to address evolving healthcare needs?
Uncovering the answers to these questions and navigating the nursing profession of the future will take a collective effort—with many voices and many perspectives. That’s why Johnson & Johnson, the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) have partnered together to launch the Charting the Nursing Path Forward: A Listening Tour to Inform the Future of the Profession.
The virtual Listening Tour will take place over the course of 9 months beginning in October 2020. During this time, Johnson & Johnson and our partners plan to learn from, reflect on and codify insights gained from discussions with nurse leaders and nursing organizations; healthcare administrators and policy makers; insurers and regulators and many others involved in health care delivery. The collective goal is to help shape a progressive path forward for the nursing profession and drive positive change for the American healthcare system in the following areas:
- Health Disparities
- Healthcare Innovation and Health Tech
- Mental Health
- Nursing Education and Skill Development
- Nursing Leadership
- Practicing at Full Potential
In spring of 2021, the Listening Tour will conclude with a report that encapsulates overall learnings to help inform the way leaders across the healthcare spectrum think about nurse innovation, leadership and practice. Nurses, other frontline health workers, and anyone else who is interested can follow along as Johnson & Johnson and our partners share the insights, perspectives and learnings gleaned from each session. We at Johnson & Johnson hope the Listening Tour helps to spark discussions surrounding the future of health care delivery and how we can empower the nursing profession for years to come.
Follow the @JNJNursing Twitter and Facebook channels as well as those of our partners, ANA and AONL, for additional Listening Tour updates.
As part of the broader Johnson & Johnson commitment to frontline healthcare workers, we look forward to continuing the legacy of our 120-year commitment to advocating for, elevating and empowering nurses as innovative, critical leaders on the frontline. We believe nurses change lives. And that changes everything.
1 Citation: Kunic RJ, Jackson D. Transforming nursing practice: barriers and solutions. AORN J. 2013;98(3):235-248. doi:10.1016/j.aorn.2013.07.003
