Transitioning yourself into the new health care business

This article discusses the impact of the evolving health care industry on the individual staff nurse. It identifies future trends that affect nursing's role within the acute care setting, as well as the skills and characteristics of the successful nurse of the future. Ideas and suggestions for success in this new environment are presented in a nonintimidating way. Methods to obtain information on future nursing roles are discussed, and implications for current nursing roles are presented in an informal and easily understood way. Ideas on ways for staff nurses to assess their career options, as well as plan for any potential downsizing in their existing facilities, are also discussed. The idea that each nurse must take an active role in their own career development and not wait for someone else to do it or assume they will be taken care of runs throughout the article.