Since December 1977, a group of people has met four times a year to assess, plan and evaluate the development of a curriculum for training ward sisters at Guy's and Whipps Cross Hospitals under the auspices of the King's Fund. Experience gained by the group is contained in the guidelines printed in this paper and it is hoped that they will assist anyone planning a curriculum for a similar course. Time and the professional experience available to the group limited its work to nurses working in acute areas, including specialties such as paediatrics and midwifery.