Although the supply of donor organs remains extremely limited, improved methods of maintaining the lungs of potential donors to allow for transplantation are being developed along with improved techniques for lung preservation. Sufficient progress has been achieved to warrant continued application of lung transplantation for numerous types of end-stage pulmonary disease. As further refinements in lung transplantation techniques and postoperative management occur, there will be a greater need for advancing the knowledge and skills of nurses and other members of the interdisciplinary team. With improved resource management and quality outcomes, it is hoped that lung transplantation will be made available to a greater number of patients. All these continued advancements offer further challenges to improve patient care for lung transplant recipients.