Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents: The development of nursing: The evolution of professional nursing -- The contemporary image of professional nursing -- Theories of nursing practice -- The influence of contemporary trends and issues on nursing education -- Nursing licensure and certification -- Current issues in health care: Financial health care and economic issues -- The health care delivery system and managed care -- Legal issues in nursing and health care -- Ethical and bioethical issues in nursing and health care -- Health policy and politics -- Cultural competency and social issues in nursing and health care -- Workplace advocacy and workplace issues -- Collective bargaining -- Computers, informatics, clinical information and the professional nurse -- Alternative healing -- Leadership and management in nursing: Nursing leadership and management -- Effective communication -- Effective delegation and supervision -- Staffing and nursing care delivery models -- Nursing's role in improving the quality of health care -- Nursing research -- Career management: Making the transition from student to professional nurse -- Managing time: AKA managing yourself -- Contemporary nursing roles and career opportunities -- Job search: finding your match -- The NCLEX-RN examination --