This report focuses on the supply, distribution of, and requirements for nursing. The first chapter describes the supply of registered and licensed practical nurses. Characteristics of the overall nursing supply are discussed in terms of marital status, age, and employment patterns. Data are also provided on nurses newly licensed to practice, males, and minorities. Projections are made of the supply of registered and licensed practical nurses. Chapter 2 reexamines two approaches for determining requirements for registered nurses: the historical trend-based model that identifies the impact of health system changes on requirements and the criteria-based model that is designed from the development of health care goals. The two sets of requirement projections are compared with four sets of supply projections based on alternative assumptions about the number and types of graduates that might be available. Recommendations are made in chapter 3 for the role of the federal government in support of nurses training and for advanced preparation in nursing. Appendixes, amounting to approximately one-third of the report, include 41 data tables and a list of references. (YLB)