Therefore, the best way to predict nursing’s future is by examining the implications of key demographic, economic, and societal trends shaping this country’s future (p.253).
The social trends are modeling America’s future and this country is rapidly changing, health care is not immune to these changes. The changing demographic, economic, and social realities are leading to labor shortages. By the year 2020, clinical shortages will be significant, the U.S. will need twice as many geriatric specialized physicians and half a million nurses. As society becomes more mobile by Generation X and Millennials, there is a need for portability and an increase in health care information infrastructure. The use of IT will assist in this transition (Simpson, 2008).
Increased acceptance of IT is one of the beneficial ways to create unity between education, research, and practice which is necessary to make nursing practical and successful in the future (Simpson, 2008). It is important for health care to evolve due to the constantly changing society, demographics, and economics. The ability for health care to change will ultimately create a beneficial outcome for both the patient and