Changing trends in healthcare: implications for baccalaureate education, practice and employment

The authors surveyed 96 hospitals and agencies in Massachusetts to determine: 1) the effect of the changes in health care delivery on RN utilization, particularly baccalaureate nurses, and 2) to identify educational changes necessary to prepare baccalaureate nursing graduates for employment and practice in the future. An analysis of the results of the survey of the 50 nurse executives who responded to the study identifies the projected needs and requirements of the service sector for delivering nursing care, and translates them into suggestions for revisions of the baccalaureate curriculum.