The how, what, and why of valuation and nursing.

Rising health care costs and limited health care resources have created a call for data that document the true value of nursing. Difficult choices will need to be made when seeking effective and just distribution of health care resources. The field of economics can be used to study and evaluate health care choices, seeking to determine what health resources are necessary and valued in life. Selecting a method of economic valuation and using cost-driven data related to the nursing process will yield information needed to communicate the value of nursing services. These data are critical to assure tomorrow's health care system does not under-invest in nursing services. Evaluation of nursing services will be needed to support the importance of investing in nursing services in order to improve the overall outcome of future health care.