The future roles of nurses

Healthcare delivery in the United States is changing because of managed care and capitation. The future of hospital nursing is being reshaped because of the economic pressures of managed care and market-led health reforms. A variety of new healthcare job opportunities for nurses will now present themselves. Nurse leader roles will evolve to complement the new managed healthcare structure. Because of the organizational redesign of managed care, nurses will need to develop additional skills and education for these roles. This article discusses potential new roles nurses will occupy in a managed care environment.