IntroductionNursing is one of the most popular professions in healthcare. To become a nurse practitioner, you must acquire a certain level of education, either at the associate or baccalaureate level. Once you become a nurse you must maintain a set of professional standards to stay up to date with the profession. In this regard, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in its 2010 report had suggested many recommendations focusing on the future of nursing. The purpose of the report is to make recommendations that will enable nurses to “(1) ensure that nurses can practice to the full extent of their education and training, (2) improve nursing education, (3) provide opportunities for nurses to assume positions leadership and serve as a full partner in health care redesign and improvement efforts, and (4) improve data collection for workforce planning and policy making” (Institute of Medicine Report, 2010). The purpose of this document is to review the IOM report and its impact on nursing, specifically nursing education, nursing practice, and nursing leadership. Impact of the IOM Report on Nursing Education The future of nursing education is one of the major recommendations made by the IOM report. The report highlights the need for highly trained nurses and a better education system. According to the IOM report, the nursing education system of the last century does not meet the needs of current health challenges. Due to the complexity of patient care, nurses must be highly competent to provide exceptional quality care. Therefore, changes in nursing education must be part of the overall changes made to our country's healthcare. The IOM also addresses the need for nurses to be adequately trained to care at an…intermediate level…versus an associate degree. The IOM report also provides guidance for nurse managers in setting goals as frontline leaders. Additionally, the IOM recommends that nurses expand their horizons by working in full collaboration with physicians and other healthcare professionals. References Folan, P et al, (2012). Leadership initiatives to advance the future of College of Medicine nursing. Nursing Policy, Policy and Practice, 13(1):38-44. National Academies Institute of Medicine. (2010). The future of nursing: driving change, promoting health. Retrieved from http://www.iom.edu/reports/2010/the-future-of-nursing-leading-change-advancing-health.aspxSherman, RO, Schwarzkopf, R, & Kiger, AJ, (2011). Presents nurses' perspectives on frontline leadership in critical care environments. International academic research network,2011:164052