Diversity within rural areas renders rural-urban comparisons difficult. The association of mental health treatment rates with levels of rurality is investigated here using Rural-Urban Continuum Codes. Data from the 1996-1999 panels of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey are aggregated to provide annual treatment rates for respondents reporting mental health problems. Data show that residents of the most rural areas receive less mental health treatment than those residing in metropolitan areas. The adjusted odds of receiving any mental health treatment are 47% higher for metropolitan residents than for those living in the most rural settings, and the adjusted odds for receiving specialized mental health treatment are 72% higher. Findings suggest rural community size and adjacency to metropolitan areas influence treatment rates.

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Despite the increase of the older adult population, there exists a shortage of health care professionals trained to help this population remain independent as long as possible. Ageism, common among younger adults, affects the capacity building of health care for older adults. Research has indicated that increased knowledge about older adults, as well as exposure to the elderly, may alter nursing students' attitudes regarding careers in gerontological nursing. However, questions remain as to what are the most effective ways to provide gerontological content in nursing programs and enhance attitudes toward older adults.With the understanding that younger adults see a need to balance work and play, a baccalaureate nursing program provides examples of ways to accomplish this through integration of courses, simulations, positive images of aging, and learning activities that enhance empathy for both frail and healthy older adults.

Intertwined in the history of substance abuse in the United States is the history of addiction in the nursing profession. This historical research explores the context of addiction in the nursing profession with reference to social, medical, political, and legal events from 1850 until the American Nurses' Association officially acknowledged addiction in the nursing profession in 1982 with guidelines for the impaired nurse. Prior to these guidelines colleagues looked the other way hoping the nurse would solve the problem by herself or if not, just leave. If caught, punitive action was taken. Nurses lost their licenses, their source of income (meaning no resources for rehabilitation treatment), and often went to jail.

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