As part of the three-phase national study to provide information to form a basis for predictions about successful nursing performance, a review was conducted of the performance of nursing school graduates at their first jobs. In March, 1976, questionnaires were mailed to a cohort of 1975 graduates who were selected by school officials as having special ability and to a sample of graduates chosen at random. The 914 responding graduates were then asked to provide the names of their immediate superiors who were subsequently sent questionnaires requiring them to rate the graduates on the same activities on which the graduates had evaluated themselves. Based on the responses of these two groups, information was derived in the five following areas: (1) the relationship between the type of educational program and the graduate's type of employment, and the extent of congruence in job performance appraisal by the employer and graduate; (2) variables which influence choice of a particular educational program and a particular job; (3) motivational and other characteristics of graduates according to their prenursing background, present position and performance, and future aspirations; (4) extra-job professional activities of the graduates; and (5) differential perceptions of quality of basic education relative to present performance. (ELG)