HEALTH-CARE WORKFORCE PRIORITIES - WHAT NURSING SHOULD DO NOW

We provide an appraisal of the adequacy of the aggregate supply of nur ses and the appropriateness of their educational mix in view of antici pated changes in health care. We view the supply as adequate, but the educational mix as deficient with regard to nurses with baccalaureate and higher degrees who will be in greatest demand in new and expanding roles. Five priority areas are identified in which nursing can make p articularly important contributions to improving health and health car e: restructuring hospitals, improving primary care availability, contr ibuting to the viability of academic health centers, improving care of the underserved, and redesigning the role of public health in a refor med health care system.