Focusing on issues affecting the development of nursing leadership in the Midwest, the papers in these proceedings attempt to move forward the implementation of an effective program for enhancing skills needed by nurse administrators. The proceedings contain: (1) "Regional Plan for Development of Nursing Leadership Potential 1982-92," by Rozella Schlotfeldt, which presents recommendations for enhancing the leadership potential of Midwest nurses; (2) a summary of a panel discussion of the Task Group on Nursing Leadership; (3) "Education for Nurse Administrators," by Julia Lane, which identifies the educational elements needed to prepare service administrators in nursing; (4) "Nursing Administration in a Small Rural Hospital," by Janice Doxtader, which emphasizes the need for nursing administrators to understand community organization, hospital budgeting and finance, and development of personnel; (5) "Nursing Administration in a Community Health Service," by Gertrude Hotaling, which covers the elements of nursing administration and specific problems related to the process in community health; (6) "Nursing Administration in a Health Science Center," by Gabrielle Martel, which describes changes in the setting of a health science/university hospital; (7) "Problems of Nursing Service for Which Administrative Consultation Is Commonly Sought and Suggestions for Their Resolution," by Lyndsey Stone, which suggests that organizational effectiveness be a primary concern for nurse administrators; (8) reports on caucus group discussions on the definition of effective nursing administration, the pre-service educational needs of nurse administrators, academic credit programs, and regional resources; (9) brief descriptions of collaborative programs designed by the Staff of Presbyterian Hospital (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma); and (10) a statement by the Commission on Education for Health Administration on the Development of the Western Network for Education in Health Administration. (RO)