Health promotion across the continuum: challenges for the future of cardiovascular nursing

Issues surrounding health care spending, reform, and future directions have generated much concern and debate among health care providers. Increasingly, cardiovascular nurses are challenged to respond to the health care needs of clients in the 21st century. This article discusses trends in the health care system, including the current emphasis on illness and emerging efforts supporting health promotion. The discussion includes an overview of health care restructuring and the use of care management as a comprehensive strategy for cardiovascular nursing practice to support health promotion across a trajectory of illness and wellness.