Should schools of nursing develop nursing centers?

This article examines the current debate about the role and worth of academically based community nursing centers. The positions and experiences of national nursing organizations, schools of nursing, organized medicine, government, and the managed care industry are considered. The underlying motivations and perspectives of each player are analyzed, and it is concluded that despite opposition from organized medicine, inconsistent support from government, and mixed messages from academia, schools of nursing should develop nursing centers. Although nursing centers in general can improve patient access to healthcare, academically based nursing centers also provide an avenue for research, training, and faculty practice.