Summary• In the Liliaceous species Alstroemeria , petal senescence is characterized by wilting and inrolling, terminating in abscission 8 -10 d after flower opening.• In many species, flower development and senescence involves programmed cell death (PCD). PCD in Alstroemeria petals was investigated by light (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) (to study nuclear degradation and cellular integrity), DNA laddering and the expression programme of the DAD-1 gene.• TEM showed nuclear and cellular degradation commenced before the flowers were fully open and that epidermal cells remained intact whilst the mesophyll cells degenerated completely. DNA laddering increased throughout petal development. Expression of the ALSDAD-1 partial cDNA was shown to be downregulated after flower opening.• We conclude that some PCD processes are started extremely early and proceed throughout flower opening and senescence, whereas others occur more rapidly between stages 4 -6 (i.e. postanthesis). The spatial distribution of PCD across the petals is discussed. Several molecular and physiological markers of PCD are present during Alstroemeria petal senescence.

Finally nurse practitioners in New South Wales, Australia, are legally recognized after more than a decade of struggle. In this article the authors provide an update on the nurse practitioner movement, including the continuing conflict with the medical profession as nursing strives to achieve full implementation and acceptance of the nurse practitioner role in New South Wales. Discussion includes nurse practitioner role legislation and authorization process. The issues and concerns expressed by the medical and nursing professions are outlined, and the authors make recommendations to strengthen and support the advanced professional role and status of nurse practitioners.

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SPECIALIZATION IN NURSING is a phenomenon that occurs worldwide. In New South Wales, Australia, the positions of clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and clinical nurse consultant (CNC) were formally established only in the last decade. How these positions developed and the responses to the roles are considered in this article. In 1990/1991, we surveyed 568 specialist nurses (CNSs and CNCs) working in the Sydney metropolitan area to identify their perceptions of what they ought to be doing and what they were actually doing in the performance of their roles. The results revealed discrepancies in perceptions of the potential role and the actual role. Comments indicated the challenging nature of the roles and thematic analysis of the comments identified problem areas related to role performance, such as workload and role conflict. Further research should be undertaken to explore the origins of role expectations and current role satisfaction.