Allow nurses to depart — it could be a slippery slope? (8)
I believe the answer is:
gradient
'slope?' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'allow nurses to' is the wordplay.
'allow' becomes 'grant' (synonyms).
'nurses' is an insertion indicator (nurse can mean to hold onto or harbour).
'to' becomes 'die' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'grant' going around 'die' is 'GRADIENT'.
'depart it could be a slippery' is the link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for gradient that I've seen before include "Level of steepness" , "Third OT book" , "Angle of slope" , "Bank" , "Rise" .)