Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nursing in today's evolving health care environment -- The history and social context of nursing -- Nursing's pathway to professionalism -- Nursing education in an evolving health care environment -- Becoming a professional nurse : defining nursing & and socialization into practice -- Nursing as a regulated practice : legal issues -- Ethics : basic concepts for professional nursing practice -- Conceptual and philosophical foundations of professional nursing practice -- Nursing theory : the basis for professional nursing -- The science of nursing and evidence-based practice -- Developing nursing judgment through through critical thinking -- Communication and collaboration in professional nursing -- Nurses, patients, and families : caring at the intersection of health, illness, and culture -- Health care in the United States -- Political activism in nursing : communities, organizations, government -- Nursing's challenge : to continue to evolve.