We present an approach to obtain new forms of the nuclear electromagnetic c
urrent, which is based on an integral form of the continuity equation. The
procedure can be used to restore current conservation in model calculations
in which the continuity equation is not verified. In addition, it provides
, as a particular result, the so-called Siegert's form of the nuclear curre
nt, first obtained by Friar and Fallieros by extending Siegert's theorem to
arbitrary values of the momentum transfer. The new currents are explicitly
conserved and permit a straightforward analysis of their behavior at both
low and high momentum transfers. The results are illustrated with a simple
nuclear model which includes a harmonic oscillator mean potential. [S0556-2
813(99)02810-1].