Mind the gap: transitions in nursing education and care delivery systems

The relationship between nursing education and nursing practice has been the topic of discussion throughout the history of the profession. The rate of change at the turn of this new century is unfolding more rapidly than ever. In this article the London underground is used as a metaphor to examine transition issues related to nursing education and care delivery. Commuters entering the underground are met with signs and announcements warning travelers to "mind the gap" (the gap is the opening between the train and the platform). The purpose of the underground is to safely transport people from one destination to another. One wrong step and travelers can find themselves in a potentially fatal situation.