Abstract: The author looks at the accelerated change in the role of practice nurses, due to factors such as the effects of the Primary Health Care Strategy. She reviews the current role of practice nurses, which is influenced by a population approach and new funding streams that encourage preventative, maintenance and chronic illness management activities. She highlights the positive effects of increased visibility of nursing leaders in the sector, increasing interdisciplinary education, and new career pathways which include advanced roles. She addresses some of the professional and systemic structural barriers which impact on practice nurses' ability to work effectively and equally within a general practice team.