The delivery of medical care is in a constant state of change and sometimes in crisis. The population is aging, resulting in more chronic disease and more complex care issues. The population is transient, resulting in unstable support systems and fewer at-home care providers and helpers. At the same time, medicine is undergoing a technological and pharmacological boom. Patients are being discharged earlier from the acute-care facility or not being admitted at all for procedures that used to be done in the hospital with follow-up support and monitoring. Patients are becoming more responsible for their own care and for following complicated medical regimens at home. Nursing is a unique and complex science and a nurturing and caring art. Traditionally, nurses minister to and soothe the sick; currently, nursing also requires using more technical and scientific skills. Nurses have had to assume increasing responsibilities involved not only with nurturing and caring, but also with assessing, diagnosing, and intervening with patients to treat, prevent, and educate to help people cope with various health states.