A critical review of literature on factors affecting nurse staffing in acute care hospitals, with particular regard for the consequences of a movement from team nursing to primary nursing care, was conducted. The literature search revealed a need for more research on the philosophy of nursing and nursing goals and policy as they relate to nurse staffing methodologies. Personnel and patient factors (especially education, staffing patterns, and the use of part-time and agency personnel) have been examined more or less rigorously. Care requirements as required by patient classification systems have also received intensive study. Nursing service organization, unit management, scheduling, and the modified work week are among management factors that have received descriptive treatment in literature. However, study of the interrelationships of these factors have largely been ignored. Team nursing, the Loeb Center system, unit assignment, and primary nursing care are among the organizational modes of nursing that have been examined. Unit design, the use of computers as it affects nursing schedules, and the unit dose system are among the few environmental factors to affect nursing care discussed in literature. (Seventy-one pages of references are appended.) (MN)