Data collection for nursing work force strategic planning in California

Responding to demands that nursing leaders conduct business in creative, pr oactive ways, the authors of this department share the work of The Robert W ood Johnson Foundation's national program, Colleagues in Caring: Regional C ollaboratives for Nursing Work Force Development. The purpose of this initi ative is to enhance regional and state collaborative planning and implement actions and policies to address the rapid changes occurring in the United States nursing labor market. This department, edited by Mary Fry Rapson, PHD, RN, CS, National Program D irector, and Rebecca B. Rice, EdD, RN, National Deputy Director; presents t he ongoing work of the 20 individual collaboratives. Regional approaches to the expected program outcomes and specific challenges/opportunities that a re unique to each region's environment are included. The Colleagues in Caring program is administered by the American Associatio n of Colleges of Nursing. Current information on the Initiative can be foun d at bttp://www.aacn.ncbe.edu under Special Projects. The staff at the Nati onal Program Office can be reached at 202-496-1095 (fax 202-496-1093).