Karen De Filippis 2 posts  Re:Topic 2 DQ 1 The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was signed into law in 2010; it has and will continue to have a dynamic impact upon the nursing profession. The PPACA has introduced many provisions applicable to nursing, but this discussion will focus on education and nurse-managed health clinics. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recognizes that healthcare has become increasingly complex, intensive, and technical, and that nurses are given greater responsibilities. Consequently, it is imperative that nurses achieve advanced levels of training and education. In response to this need, the PPACA has increased the loan amount for nurses education to $17,000 and has also expanded the funding allotted to graduate nursing students for clinical education. It should be noted that although the cost of education has risen dramatically, the federal loan amounts have not been changed for over a decade. The government has authorized $338 million to develop programs that include advanced education grants for nurses. Furthermore, the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) provides support programs for RNs who are pursuing careers as Advanced Practice Nurses. In the US today, we are currently experiencing a physician shortage problem (Stokowski, 2010); very often patients must wait over one month to see a specialist. On the contrary, Nurse Practitioner (NP) candidates and programs are increasing. The good news is that the PPACA is not only granting funds for NP training, but also for nurse-managed health clinics.  In 2014, HRSA estimated that nearly 60 million persons had limited access to healthcare. In 2013, Health Affairs published the results of a study conducted by the RAND Corporation; the committee recommended that nurse-managed care centers could relieve the current pressures experienced by the primary care staff. Because of the recommended provisions, educational opportunities for nurses will be less costly and burdensome. For example, at the hospital where I am employed, the tuition reimbursement amount has risen. Nurses will be more likely to pursue advanced degrees, and when they do achieve their goals, facilities will be available where they can practice advanced skills. American Nurses Association, (2014). Health care reform. Retrieved from           www.nursingworld.org Health care reform law begins to have effect on nursing (2011). Retrieved from           http://www.rwif.org/en/library Hertel, R. (2011). Health care reform & issues in nursing. Matters.(2011). Stokowski, L. (2010). Healthcare reform and nurses: challenges and opportunities. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com National Nursing Centers Consortium. Nurse-managed health clinics. Retrieved from https://www.nncc.us/images

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) has had a significant impact on the nursing profession since it was signed into law in 2010. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recognizes that healthcare has become increasingly complex and technical, placing greater responsibilities on nurses. As a result, the PPACA has introduced several provisions related to nursing education and nurse-managed health clinics.

One important provision of the PPACA is the increase in loan amounts for nurses’ education. Prior to the PPACA, federal loan amounts for nursing education had not been changed for over a decade. The PPACA increased the loan amount to $17,000, recognizing the rising cost of education and the need for nurses to achieve advanced levels of training and education. In addition to increased loan amounts, the PPACA has expanded funding for graduate nursing students for clinical education. The government has authorized $338 million to develop programs that provide advanced education grants for nurses.

The PPACA also addresses the issue of the physician shortage problem in the United States. Currently, patients often have to wait over a month to see a specialist due to the shortage of physicians. However, the number of Nurse Practitioner (NP) candidates and programs is increasing. The PPACA not only grants funds for NP training but also for nurse-managed health clinics. In 2014, the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) estimated that nearly 60 million people had limited access to healthcare. A study conducted by the RAND Corporation in 2013 found that nurse-managed care centers could alleviate the current pressures on primary care staff. These provisions in the PPACA provide educational opportunities for nurses that are less costly and burdensome, encouraging them to pursue advanced degrees and practice advanced skills.

The impact of the PPACA on nursing education and nurse-managed health clinics has been recognized by organizations such as the American Nurses Association and the National Nursing Centers Consortium. The American Nurses Association acknowledges the role of the PPACA in healthcare reform and highlights the benefits it brings to nurses. The National Nursing Centers Consortium provides information on nurse-managed health clinics and their importance in expanding access to healthcare.

In conclusion, the PPACA has introduced provisions that have a dynamic impact on the nursing profession, particularly in the areas of education and nurse-managed health clinics. The increase in loan amounts and funding for clinical education supports nurses in obtaining advanced levels of training and education. The provisions also address the physician shortage problem and provide opportunities for nurses to practice advanced skills. This ultimately improves access to healthcare for millions of people. The PPACA has been recognized and supported by organizations such as the American Nurses Association and the National Nursing Centers Consortium. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the impact of the PPACA on nursing will continue to be significant.