The purpose of this study was to describe the profiles, functions, and career experiences of hospital nurse executives in the United States. A descriptive survey method was used. Data were collected from a random sampling of hospital nurse executives and chief executive officers. A self-developed questionnaire was mailed to 400 nurse executives and 300 chief executive officers. The response rate was 40% for the nurse executives and 51% for the chief executive officers. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were used to report the findings. Results of the study revealed:

1. The profile of the hospital nurse executive was female, caucaSian, married with children, and between 41 and 50 years old. Nurse executives have more baccalaureate and master's degrees than the general nurse population. Seventy-seven percent of nurse executives have a master's degree in nursing and/or related fields. Nurse executives are in a transitional role from middle to top-level hospital management with title changes, additional responsibilities and increased compensation.

2. The functions of the nurse executive position rated as very important by nurse executives and chief executive officers were similar in the categories of finance, human resource, and nursing management, and less Similar in hospital/organizational management. Nurse executives were not satisfied with educational preparation in financial and hospital/organizational management.

3. The career path to the nurse executive position was identified as the traditional clinical pathway. The majority of nurse executives had worked in six or less institutions, had seven or more positions and had 13 years or more of work experience. Nurse executives stated major factors in career advancement were mentors, networking, education, management experience, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and clinical background. Nurse executives described their career planning as both internally and externally determined. Only a small number planned their careers, and over one-half were determined by the organization. Nurse executives perceived themselves as successful. Recommendations for further research were offered.