Occupational Health Nursing Practice, Education, and Research: Challenges for the Future

The practice of occupational health nursing has expanded enormously and is influenced by company culture and forecasts as well as external factors such as population trends, technology, and the profile of the work force. Future trends include the provision of nurse managed occupational health services. Education and research in occupational health nursing must be strengthened to advance the practice of occupational health nursing. The occupational health nurse as the primary health care manager must take the lead in the development and implementation of a concept of health at the worksite.