AbstractThis paper examines the theoretical perspective of Patricia Benner (1984; 1989) as outlined in two of her recent works. The evaluative criteria used are the critical perspective developed by Carr and Kemmis (1986). The interpretive strengths of her work are identified and extended by comparison with the work of Lawler (1991). Problems in Benner’s analyses are found to centre around the weaknesses of the interpretive perspective. An analysts of the structural constraints that act to distort the interpretation of nurses’work is offered as an alternative. An evaluation is given of the relevance to practice of Benner’s work.