Recommendation 1. We recommended that, for all those seeking entry to the nursing profession, in addition to routine references the most recent employer or place of study should be asked to provide at leas: a record of time taken off on grounds of sickness. From April 1995, there will be consistent and agreed guidelines on seeking references from the most recent employer or place of study on a record of time taken off on grounds of sickness. The English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (ENB) has issued draft regulations and guidelines which will meet this recommendation. Additionally, the University and Colleges Admission Service has agreed to harmonise their arrangements with those of the ENB.