Jane Bovey has long been a member of BARNA, and has recently left her job in the private sector as an anaesthetics and recovery nurse to work with an agency. Jane decided to write a column in the journal to express concerns felt by many nurses working in anaesthetics and recovery. Jane also wanted to promote debate on some contentious issues, and welcomes replies to her column. If you have a reply, send to email: [email protected] or BJARN, 6 Bromyard Avenue, Walmley, Sutton Coldfield, B76 IRQ. The views expressed in this column are entirely of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those held by the British Anaesthetic & Recovery Nurses Association.