Most attempts to lessen the nursing shortage have focused on external factors, such as wages and benefits. In view of the continuing shortage, however, it appears that most of these attempts have not been effective. Research studies are inconclusive as to factors influencing the nursing shortage. The majority of studies examined why nurses leave nursing; this study investigated why they stay. The purpose of the study was to determine if selected demographic variables (age, basic nursing education, time in profession, type of hospital, clinical area of practice) and/or personality factors are related to nurses' job satisfaction and intent to stay in nursing. This was a descriptive exploratory design in which the survey method was used for data collection. The sample consisted of 200 randomly selected staff nurses who met the study criteria; there were 104 usable returns. Instruments were the California Psychological Inventory (CPI), the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, and a Data Sheet designed by the investigator. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, t tests, and discriminant analysis. Results showed no statistical significance between demographic variables and Job Satisfaction or Intent to Stay. These CPI subscales were statistically significant: for Job Satisfaction-Responsibility, Achievement via Conformance, Psychological-mindedness, and Socialization; for Intent to Stay-Sociability, Dominance, Self-Acceptance, Capacity for Status, Femininity/Masculinity, and Socialization. Based on the CPI, some of the conclusions were that satisfied nurses take their duties more seriously, find conforming easier, are more at ease in structured settings, and are more interested in why people act than in what they do. Nurses intending to stay are less assertive, dislike competition, are less sociable, readily assume blame when things go wrong, find conforming easier, are more sensitive to criticism, and are more sympathetic. Significant predictor variables were identified for both Job Satisfaction and Intent to Stay. Implications for counseling, education, and nursing were discussed, and recommendations for further study were included. / Ed. D.