The methodology and findings from a survey of 465 current and former deans of nursing are described, and comparisons are made with the findings of a survey of social work deans. Information was collected on respondents' background, perceptions of the dean's role and the workplace, and other information about the program and staffing. Of the 465 deans and former deans of nursing, 84 percent held a dean's position and 16 percent had held the position during the previous 5 years. Findings include the following: nurses appointed to deans' positions came with little administrative experience or educational preparation for the position; respondents experienced difficulties in connection with faculty recruitment and qualifications, as well as relationships between the deans and faculty; deans of nursing viewed teaching and curriculum decisionmaking as more important responsibilities than publication and research; deans of nursing perceived less decisionmaking responsibility for the budget and for faculty appointments than did social work deans; and similarities between deans of social work and deans of nursing were greater than the differences. The nursing dean questionnaire, which is a revised version of the social work questionnaire, is appended. (SW)