Deans in nursing: how do they see their future?

One hundred thirty-one deans of autonomous schools of nursing were surveyed in regard to their future career plans. Only one quarter of the sample planned to stay in the deanship until retirement, but they indicated a high degree of satisfaction with their current career choice. The greatest impetus for leaving their position is dissatisfaction with the current position. Extrinsic rewards, such as salary, are not inducements for lateral mobility. Better opportunities for women in academia have created some ambiguity and confusion in regard to the career path beyond the deanship.