Landmark Future of Nursing report continues to impact nursing

More than 73% of nurses hold a baccalaureate degree or higher fifteen years after the now-named National Academy of Medicine released a landmark Future of Nursing report calling for the vast majority of nurses to do so. In 2010, 49% of nurses held a baccalaureate degree or higher. The nursing field met other report recommendations, which include expanding advanced practice authority from 22 to 27 states and Washington, D.C. and increasing nursing leadership opportunities. A subsequent Future of Nursing report, released in 2021, called for nurses to address health equity and support well-being. The nursing field has prioritized health equity, including addressing the social determinants of health and improving access to care. It remains focused on supporting nurse well-being, retention and sustainable working conditions. (Nurse.com article, 8/26/26)