This was a descriptive study carried out in 11 schools of nursing, from September 1987 to March 1988. Reasons for wastage and mobility were investigated as well as evidence of correlation between tenure and satisfaction. Job satisfaction levels were measured both quantitatively and qualitatively. Most teachers experienced overall job satisfaction, but were more satisfied with certain aspects of the job than others. The main constituents of satisfaction were teaching, student contact, professional autonomy, good supervision and positive feedback from both learners and supervisors. Dissatisfaction occurred due to excessive paperwork (especially marking and routine administration), endless meetings, poor supervision with lack of autonomy and poor relationships with staff in the clinical areas.