title: The term 'profession' now simultaneously implies an enhanced social standing and increased public distrust, while the term 'vocation' can indicate naivety and low self-esteem.
abstract: The attainment of the NHS Plan recruitment target by the Department of Health in England is an achievement. However it raises two questions. First, if all these nurses have been recruited why does it feel as if things are little better in their clinical environments? Second, is it sustainable? I sense that health care is riding the edge of a wave - but when is the wave going to break?