The task that has perhaps most preoccupied professional nursing is that of defining itself. Over the years nursing has developed in such a way that currently there is a vast disparate group of individuals, each of whom may properly be called “nurse” — ranging from the licensed practical nurse to the nurse who holds a doctoral degree, with at least four levels of academic preparation between. It is evident that this situation poses problems, not only for nursing but also, and more importantly, for health care consumers who are unable to establish realistic expectations as to the knowledge and skills of “nurses.”