Historical development of professional nursing in the United States / Jennifer Casavant Telford and Arlene W. Keeling -- Pathways of nursing education / Joan L. Creasia and Kathryn B. Reid -- Socialization to professional nursing / Karen J. Saewert -- Professional nursing roles / Sarah A. Delgado, Elke Jones Zschaebitz, and Elizabeth E. Friberg -- Theories and frameworks for professional nursing practice / Mary Gunther -- Health policy and planning and the nursing practice environment / Debra C. Wallace and L. Louise Ivanov -- Economic issues in nursing and health care / Mattia J. Gilmartin -- Communication skills and techniques / Katharine C. Cook -- Critical thinking, clinical judgment, and the nursing process / Brenda Morris -- Challenges in teaching and learning / Tami H. Wyatt -- Legal aspects of nursing practice / Nayna C. Philipsen and Patricia McMullen -- Ethical dimensions of nursing and health care / Heather Vallent and Pamela J. Grace -- Health care informatics / Teresa L. Panniers and Susan Kaplan Jacobs -- Diversity in health and illness / Cathy L. Campbell and Ishan C. Williams -- Health and health promotion / Sandra P. Thomas -- Genetics and genomics in professional nursing / Dale Halsey Lea -- Rural health concepts / Vickie H. Southall -- Intimate partner violence as a health care problem / Kathryn Laughon -- Vulnerable populations / Marilyn Grace O'Rourke -- Patient safety / Vicki S. Good.