The evolving nature of perinatal nursing.
Current and future health-care trends create many challenges for perinatal nurses. A new mind set is required for the profession not only to accommodate the paradigm shift but provide leadership in designing a new future for health care. Interestingly, it has been predicted that the movement toward achieving healthier communities will result in a decentralized, community-based, nonhierarchical system that will not be male dominated. Nurses will be called on to participate in the development and implementation of health-care programs rather than assume a passive, recipient role. On the brink of the 21st century, nursing is in a position to emerge as a leader in providing cost-effective, needs-based, health-care services aimed at improving the health status of a community.
Arnold
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L
Department of Obstetrical and Neonatal Nursing, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, USA.
Kirby
A
A
D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D008389:Marketing of Health Services; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States