In a period of scarce and shrinking resources, manpower planning is of great importance. One aspect of nurse manpower planning is to ensure that the clinical learning environment is adequate in terms of qualified nursing staff. A recent, detailed study of nurse training in the clinical area has highlighted the effects of manpower shortages in nurse education in the clinical area. It is argued that any further cuts in nurse manpower levels will have a direct, detrimental effect on the clinical learning environment, and this is illustrated by findings from the nurse training study. It is further suggested that the manpower problems of urban hospitals are often masked by discussion of manpower in terms of regional staffing levels.