To increase awareness of ideas that have potential for solving nursing problems, the papers in these proceedings review research findings, describe the application of problem-solving techniques, and underscore the joint responsibility of service and education for testing innovations in better patient care. The proceedings contain: (1) "Don't Just Sit There--Do Something," by Florence Downs, which expresses a concern for developing meaningful content and testable theory at the center of research efforts in nursing; (2) "Understanding Attitudes and Conditions That Determine Nurses' Environments for Research," by Maxine Loomis, which discusses the impact of the Conduct and Utilization of Research in Nursing project, a 5-year research development effort sponsored by the Michigan Nurses' Association; (3) "Why Aren't the Advances of Nursing Research Being Implemented at Bedside?" by Judith Floyd, Karin Kirchhoff, Phyllis Kritek, and Susan Riesch, which offers criteria for the evaluation of research findings among clinicians; (4) caucus group reports on common problems, current work that has potential for solving patient care problems, and research-related objectives; and (5) brief descriptions of 45 ideas and innovations to improve nursing practice. (RO)