The Author Replies

Like Ms Como, I, too, find that students flourish in an atmosphere of support and encouragement and wither when such sustenance is denied them. In nursing education, as with 17th-century French philosopher, scientist, mathematician, and probability theorist Blaise Pascal's wager, it is better to opt on the side of belief. Regarding Dr Ayoub's rhetorical reservations, I can only caution against the further infiltration of ex-English majors into our nursing profession.

Geraldine Gorman, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor

Department of Public Health, Mental Health, and Administrative Nursing, Chicago, Ill. [email protected]