A study was conducted to identify the trends occurring within the health service industry and their impact on the providers of health care; determine shifts or emerging occupational areas within health services; and assess local health service providers' staffing patterns and anticipated needs. The study involved meetings with local hospital representatives and nursing home administrators, and surveys of medical offices and home health care agencies. Study findings included the following: (1) health care management has been in a mode of personnel reductions and cost containment, thereby tying employment opportunities for registered nursing graduates directly to personnel turnover; (2) recent changes in patient care have expanded the nurse's role to now include diagnosis, physical assessment, and therapeutic use of interpersonal interactions; (3) continuing education will be in high demand as nurses adapt to new technologies, an expanding knowledge base, growing emphasis on wellness, and the rising number of elderly people with chronic diseases in long-term care settings; (4) the staffing patterns of hospitals and nursing homes indicated that practical nurses were not being replaced as turnovers and layoffs occurred; and (5) a need was demonstrated for a Homemaker/Home Health Aide program. Recommendations for curriculum development are included. (EJV)