Riding the wave of the future: an ET nurse's guide to surviving health care reform.

Historically, ET nurses have adapted to and grown professionally with change. Projected and current reform of the U.S. health care delivery system requires ET nurses to increase their knowledge base regarding reimbursement; to become proactive change agents in the reform process, to develop strategies to ensure that patients receive high-quality, cost-effective, affordable care; and to intertwine the reimbursement of services and supplies used in ET nurse practice with the development of patient care plans. ET nurses must understand the impact of proposed health care reform on their professional practice, join forces with other organizations to initiate the modification of outmoded policies and laws, and develop innovative strategies that will underwrite the future of ET nursing.