At long last the United Kingdom Central Council for Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors (UKCC) has agreed its Post Registration Education and Practice (PREP) proposals (UKCC, 1993) and we now await the Government's decision. Although no date has been set for implementation, the clear message is that all registered nurses, midwives and health visitors will need to study the report as soon as they can and as carefully as possible. There are three very clear messages for us all in the future: We can't stand still and expect to get by without further education and regular updating; We can't drop in and out of nursing without considering what we are doing or what re-education we will require; We need to think carefully about our stage and level of preparation for generalist, specialist or advanced practice.