The purpose of this literature review is to illustrate the importance of initiating nursing recruitment during the middle school years. Data sources included citations from the years 1989 to 2006. The study focused on middle school students 9 to 13 years of age in Grades 6 to 8. One survey compared middle school students' perceptions of an ideal career and a career in nursing. Other studies discussed interventions such as nursing camps, recruitment videos, presentations, and handouts. After the intervention, the studies found statistically significant increases in the desire of middle school students to consider or make nursing their career choice. One strategy for addressing future nursing shortages might be the implementation of recruitment efforts targeting middle school students. (Contains 1 table.)