A cooperative pilot project was conducted to determine the feasibility of training mentally retarded individuals to function in a hospital setting. The 3-month nurse aide training program included 1 month of formal classroom training at the college and 2 months of supervised training in a hospital. A total of 51 students entered four classes over a 1-year period. Seventeen of the students were employed as nurse aides almost immediately upon graduation. Eight were placed by the counselor in civil service jobs which provided the opportunity for higher salaries; however, it was believed that this group would otherwise have bee n employed as nurse aides. Fourteen students married, were ill, or were unavailable for follow-up. Two were not employed but were waiting for placement as nurse aides. Thirteen were unable to complete the program for reasons ranging from inability to learn simple procedures to behavior problems which accounted for the greatest number of failures. Recommendations included: (1) requirements of a minimal reading level, (2) allowance of program time for adjustment, and (3) screening in relation to behavior and adjustment. Scores are presented for various psychological tests. (JK)