RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Doctors and nurses once more--an alternative to May. JF Journal of Medical Ethics JO J Med Ethics FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics SP 82 OP 83 DO 10.1136/jme.21.2.82 VO 21 IS 2 A1 P Nash YR 1995 UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/21/2/82.abstract AB It is argued that promissory obligation arising from the contract of employment offers a simpler and less contentious explanation and justification of the doctor-nurse relationship at work, than does May's proposal of second-order reasons. The second-order reason position is rejected as the norm for that relationship, and in the exceptional case, where it is admitted, shared employee status is identified as primary validator of a doctor as locus of rational authority. Finally, a brief case is made for a more precise vocabulary to describe the doctor-nurse relationship, as a contribution to more collegial relations.