Includes bibliographical references and index.

Past to present in the profession -- Current state of the nursing discipline / Cynthia D. Sofhauser -- Evolution of the medical and allied health professions / Ruth Stearns -- Progression of the nursing field : past and present / Sheila Cox Sullivan -- Nursing workforce issues / Sharron E. Guillett -- Where are all the nursing faculty? / Barbara G. Williams, Donna Bridgman Musser -- The newest nursing specialties / Carol J. Bickford -- The environment that influences nursing care -- Policy : assessment, development, analysis, and evaluation / Lillian Wise, Amy Spurlock -- Health policy / Nancy L. York -- The political influence on the nursing profession / Rosemary E.S. Mortimer -- The financial health care environment / Aileen Wehren, Mary Jo Regan-Kubinski -- Insurance and its effects on health care in the U.S. / Mary Jo Regan-Kubinski, Aileen Wehren -- Cost, access, and quality : critical health care issues / Amy Barlow Britt -- Information and life-long learning / Pamela Sherwill-Navarro -- Evidence-based practice / Maureen C. Creegan -- Trends in workplace safety / Nancy Nivision Menzel -- Transition and growth -- The successful mentor/mentee relationship / Sheryl L. Curtis -- The nursing role in the next decade / K. Alberta McCaleb -- Test taking strategies, including NCLEX, GRE, and certification exams / Cathleen M. Schulz -- Transitioning from student to professional nurse / Pamela Patterson, K. Alberta McCaleb -- Achieving life-work balance / Karin A. Polifko -- Health literacy / Pamela Sherwill-Navarro -- Advocacy in the public arena / Rebecca Bowers-Lanier -- The practice environment : anticipating the future / Kathleen M. White.

"The Practice Environment of Nursing: Issues and Trends takes a clear and frank health policy approach as it offers relevant concept discussions for the future RN to apply in their first professional role as a registered nurse. With the contributions from expert clinicians, administrators and educators in their respective fields, this book covers everything that is needed for the successful transition from student to registered nurse. This book also encourages exploration of the larger social context that forms, molds, and impacts nursing practice. Innovative, current chapters include Health Disparities, Insurance, and Health Policy, as well as vital information on taking the NCLEX Exam, workplace safety and much more."--Publisher's description.