In response to the current crisis in the field of nursing, a study examined nursing students' perceived work-related stress and differences among associate degree, diploma, and baccalaureate nursing programs in their preparation of nursing students. The 171 subjects, representing the three different nursing programs, completed a questionnaire concerning various state and trait measures of emotions (including general anxiety, apprehension about communication, and anxiety about a future nursing career). Differences among the three groups of students were assessed from the perspective of Mehrabian's theory of emotion. Predictors of anxiety about a nursing career were investigated for the overall sample and for the three groups separately. Findings indicated that baccalaureate students were the least apprehensive about communication and felt most dominant in their setting. Associate degree students were most anxious about nursing if they did not feel dominant, while diploma students were most anxious if they did not feel dominant or were apprehensive about communication, and baccalaureate students were most anxious if they were generally unhappy. Better screening of nursing program applicants, and more preparation during training for job-related stress, are recommended. (Three tables of data are included, and 30 references are appended.) (ARH)