At present, practical nurses are prepared in one type of educational program, professional nurses in another, and professional nurses with a degree in still another type of program. Should it be possible for nurses to progress more readily from one type of program to another? Should there be, perhaps, one basic program, with the practical nurse preparation complete at the end of one year, two or three more years of study required for the professional nurse, and still further study needed by the nurse who wants a degree? An authority in the field of nursing education discusses the issues involved, as well as the problems that must be solved, if we are to best meet the needs of society for good nursing care, and the needs of students for the kind of nursing education that they desire.