This research considers the character of the nursing pro fession for the future. Specifically, the emphasis in on the time period of the mid to late 1990s, and beyond into the next century.
PROBLEMS CONFRONTING PROFESSIONAL NURSING
In mid 1990, two problems of significance which will, to a great extent, influence the character of the nursing profession in the future are already evident. One of these problems is the serious shortage of professional nurses which exists in most geographic areas of the United States, but which is parti cularly acute in rural counties and towns (Higgins, 1990). The second major problem with which professional nursing is con cerned with in mid 1990 is professional autonomy, as the pro fessional nurse contends with long standing challenges to the profession's prerogatives from physicians, and with relatively recent challenges involving hospital administrators, and para professional personnel (Scherer, 1988).
FINDINGS (REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE), AND ANALYSIS
The causes of the shortage of professional nurses are many and varied. On one level, the personnel shortage itself is
also a cause, because the stresses introduced into the practice of professional nursing by over work (resulting from the per sonnel shortage), in turn, cause many more nurses to leave the profession (Scherer, 1987).
The stresses associated with the contemporary practice of nursing also lead to an increase in the rate of burn out among professional nurses (Benner, & Wrubel, 1988). Burn out is a relatively common phenomenon in many fields of endeavor; how ever, it is particularly acute in the field of professional nursing (Wandelt, 1981). Burn out, together with the actions of personnel before this point is reached, lead to high rates of personnel turnover, decreased levels of productivity, and declining quality levels in duty performance. These factors cause severe managerial problems for health care deli...