There is an urgent need to examine in more detail the implications for clinical practice and continuing education of the proposals for Project 2000. Analysis of the present trends reveals some potential problems between the stated beliefs of the benefits of changing nurse education and the impact on practitioners and educators who face the challenge of implementing that change. This paper explores some issues that cause personal concern. The particular focus is related to clinical practice and continuing education but before exploring these issues it is pertinent to consider whether we have an appropriate knowledge base for change and the implications for nurse recruitment in the future