In reaction to changing population dynamics, personal circumstances and relationships, as well as measures to increase the productivity of the health care providers, the healthcare system has been under increasing pressure to adapt and perform under these circumstances. According to Royal College of Nursing, there are further challenges to be faced over the next ten years, which include the need to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of health and social care; change in patterns of disease, especially non-communicable disease and chronic and long-term illness; changes in activity levels and lifestyle; changes in public expectations and demand for quality and personalised care; inequalities in health status and health care outcomes and; reconciling demand, need and access to health care with quality and safety.

The supply of qualified registered nurses (RNs) has been deemed essential in achieving health outcomes in these challenging and evolving environments. The role of nursing and purpose of RN work is to provide health care and services to a range of clients, including patients, families, carers and the wider community. Registered Nurses are responsible for maintaining all aspects of the health environment conducive to improving health, facilitating recovery from illness and rehabilitation.

However, the roles and responsibilities involved in RN work will naturally change over time in response to the pattern of demand and need for social care. The challenge for health care providers is to enable nurses to fulfil the new roles and expectations that is demanded of them. In response to the future demands of RN work, the Royal College of London undertook a research program to assess what the future role of nursing may look like. According to their results, the future nurse will deliver integrated nursing across a wide range of care settings, delivering numerous medical services and coordinating in partnership the road to recovery and well being.

Traditional boundaries imposed by institutional settings will be broken, with more emphasis being placed on care delivered in private settings where the patient has an emotive attachment. The roles and responsibilities of nurses will expand not only geographically, but in their abilities to perform certain functions, such as early diagnosis and management of illnesses through to acute episodes of care.

The future of nursing and the role of the RN is evolving into an exciting field, which provides nurses more autonomy in their role while working with a supportive team. The opportunity to specialise and advance key areas of medical knowledge will open opportunities for further advancement than ever before. If you are contemplating a career that offers job and life satisfaction, enquire about RN work and invest in your future.