As we start out on our path into the millennium, there are a number of key issue we need to consider about our future in nursing. Whilst many readers may groan at such a statement it is worth remembering the difference between nursing at the beginning of the last century and today. Clearly nothing is static, change is inevitable and, if we want to be proactive in leading change, we need to consider the options open to us now so that we drive the agenda for nursing in this century rather than letting others do as has sometimes been the case in the past.

The new millennium has now arrived in style, with appropriate hype and fireworks we are truly in the dawn of a new age. However, if you were working I have been reliably informed that Cuba will be holding the ‘true’ millennium party in twelve months time. At the end of 1999 it was a time for reflection and the year looking forward into the future of 2000. What of anaesthetic and recovery nursing? What does the future hold?

What was it like to be an early Nightingale probationer as St. Thomas' hospital in the 1870's? While much has been written about the administration of the Nightingale Training school, this author wanted to examine the actual experience of the probationers themselves - how did it differ from that of the modern nurse? The author used the ward diaries of three sets of probationers, from 1870 — 1890, together with the lecture notes of Mr Croft, the senior surgeon at St. Thomas' who delivered weekly lectures from 1872 onwards, to investigate the hospital routine of these women.

Following on from the article in the last journal examining the ethical issues within the operating theatre, this article will examine the legal and ethical conflicts surrounding consent in the child. The scenario of a child refusing surgery, coupled with the desire to help is a problem faced by many practitioners. Legislation was created to clarify the situation, but subsequent legal interpretation has clouded the issue once again.

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: theeditor.bjarn@k-2.org.uk 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.

I started my nursing career in Bristol as pupil nurse in 1979. On qualifying, I worked in an orthopaedic ward for a year, got hooked and went off to do the course. From there I moved to Poole, spent two happy years working on a trauma unit with great views of the bay and spent most of my spare time either lying on the beach or partying hard as you do when you are young and single. I met my other half and moved to London taking a five year break - what bliss. I decided to return to work in 1989, dabbling a little on the nursing bank before taking a permanent contract. There followed eight years at Farnborough in Kent. Six of these flew by working with an excellent team of nursing and medical staff on one of the few remaining, untouched ENT units that hasn't been swallowed into ‘general surgery’. Here I re entered the theatre world (Not visited since my training days) learned to do it properly and at the time gained a great deal of experience recovering patients with potential airway problems whilst keeping my fingers crossed that they did not actually develop any. I was also both supported and encouraged to undertake and complete the conversion course and decided I may as well get the ENB 998 over and done with soon after. Ward management skills come next - you know how it goes, the off duty, answering the phone, having your name called over and over again - that sort of thing. In 1997, we decided to move to the country for some fresh air and life out of the fast lane.

Last November I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to visit the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH), South Australia. I had been invited by Dr Pam Macintyre who had spoken at the 1997 South Thames Acute Pain Conference. I spent two interesting weeks observing the Acute Pain Team to see how their service was managed.