The Affordable Care Act 2010: educational needs of bedside nurses.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) significantly impacts bedside nurses who must participate in organizational change and provide resources to patients. A health reform educational needs assessment was distributed to nurses from a midsized community hospital located in an elevated-need and medically underserved area in New England. Many nurses indicated that more knowledge was needed and they lacked information about the educational incentives. Health policy professional development opportunities are required to inform bedside nursing practice.