Licensure and entry into nursing practice. A survey of occupational health nurses' opinions.

Since 1965, the controversial question of what level of educational preparation is appropriate and necessary for entry into nursing practice has been discussed. No consensus has been reached by the members of the nursing profession as a whole. The opinions of occupational health nurses toward the requirement for initial registered nurse licensure and entry into occupational health nursing practice was assessed. The study revealed occupational health nurses generally supported their respective basic programs for initial licensure and entry into occupational health nursing.