Book excerpt: This well-respected text teaches nursing students about leadership and the management process and supplies the practicing nurse with practical information about nursing administration. In response to the dramatic changes in health care in recent years, this sixth edition expands both content and focus by discussing delegation, team development, cost containment, health care networks, mergers and acquisitions, community-based practice, and continuous quality improvement. It focuses on current trends that include technology, ethics, diversity, and managed care. (Includes a FREE MERLIN website at:www.harcourthealth.com/MERLIN/Marriner/guide/) Spanish version also available, ISBN: 84-8174-526-X