Differences and Similarities Between Social Work and Nurse Discharge Planners‪.‬

********** For more than a century discharge planning has been a part of the practice of social work as well as nursing. Historically, both disciplines recognized the need for formalized services that reflect discharge planning and have often worked together to provide subsequent aftercare activities. To date, studies have looked at the differences between social work and nursing and the overlap of activities (Egan & Kadushin, 1995; Kulys & Davis, 1987; Sheppard, 1992). This role sharing has been noted as prospective payment systems have assigned discharge planning activities increased status and overlapping and convergence of social work and nursing tasks has led to turf battles. This article examines the similarities and differences between social work and nurse discharge planners. To highlight this relationship, we identify the tasks that consist of the essential components of discharge planning among social workers and nurses and compare demographic characteristics of discharge planners, work setting variables, and specialization differences.