Bridging the gap between competence and excellence.

As practicing nurses, as specialists, you find yourselves in two environments: (1) the inner world of your clinical practice and (2) the outer world of social, political, and economic influences. Your theme for this symposium has reminded you of the necessity of Bridging the Gap Between Competence and Excellence in Quest of Quality Care. To bridge that gap, you must operate effectively in both the inner and outer environment for caring. Through such means as I have mentioned, you can span the two worlds and emerge strong from the currents carrying us to the 21st century. You can stand upon the threshold of the future as a Renaissance nurse contributing to a reformed and revitalized profession. I salute you as you stand poised for action at the open door.