Toward a new future for healthcare and nursing practice.

The healthcare trends described in this article will eventually lead to transformation of healthcare delivery and nursing practice. The nursing profession needs to be proactive in creating new models of care delivery and in redefining the work of nursing. The authors describe 2 examples of emerging models and principles for the creation of future models, related leadership challenges for nurse executives, and strategies for leading change. Ensuring that changes in care delivery models lead toward a desired future that fulfills nursing's social contract is a mandate for nursing leaders.