This study analyzes the major types of collective mobility strategies undertaken by registered nurses in the United States between 1965 and 1985. Four types of collective strategy are analyzed: "traditional" professionalization, unionization, specialization and bureaucratization.

Data derive from two sources. Current Population Survey data for the period 1971-1985 are used to document the rise in union density of registered nurses and to draw a statistical profile of unionized nurses. An analysis of 56 nursing journals for the period 1965-1985 provides the second major data source, and is used to trace the development of each of the collective mobility strategies.

Collective mobility in nursing in the 20th century has revolved around a conventional professionalization strategy. Despite its longevity, the essential goals of professionalization have not been achieved through this strategy. Unionization developed partly as result of the failure of the traditional professionalization strategy, and partly as a result of wider social and economic changes such as the women's movement and the shrinking manufacturing sector. Bureaucratization has developed primarily in response to the increasingly widespread unionization of nurses. Specialization is increasingly developing as another major path of collective mobility for registered nurses. The large number of nurse specialties can be characterized into three types, each with differing potential for success as strategies of professionalization. Finally, it is argued that patriarchal structures and views of women have been significant factors in determining the character of, and attenuating the potential power of, collective mobility strategies in nursing throughout this century.