The study identifies and explores variables influencing the standardization of nursing education in the years 1915 to 1945. Standardization of nursing education is limited to the educational preparation of those candidates eligible to take the licensing exam for the title of Registered Nurse. Using von Bertalanffy's General System Theory and concepts of an open system responding to and causing response outside of the system, nursing is also analyzed in the context of social need, institutional influence, and the academic process of higher education. Data collected in the form of primary artifacts and secondary sources is used to analyze the variables contributing to as well as thwarting nursing education's total transition into higher education. Caplow's organizational framework is used to critique nursing as an organization and make recommendations for clearly defined titles, licensure, and educational preparation supportive of internal organizational autonomy. Review of variables external to the system of nursing education serves to generate future recommendations for promotion of autonomy via internal control and educational standardization.