The purpose of the study was to determine if there is a relationship between types of entry-level preparatory nursing programs in which a nurse receives basic nursing education and conceptual and theoretical approaches to patient care. A secondary purpose of the study was to determine if there is a relationship between entry-level basic preparatory nursing education and nursing leadership, the ability to make nursing diagnosis, and implementation, as well as evaluation of the nursing process. Three nursing practice categories were identified and included: professional, all-nurse, and technical.Useable data collected by short-essay questionnaire from 343 out of 344 sample subjects were computed to determine the relationship, if any, between basic preparatory nursing education and conceptual and theoretical approaches to patient care. Decisions about three Null Hypotheses were made at the 0.05 level of significance utilizing analysis of covariance and the 0.01 level of significance utilizing Chi-Square analysis.FINDINGS1. For Hypothesis I, the main effect for degree work when covaried with Verbal Scholastic Aptitude Test Scores, Quantitative Scholastic Aptitude Test Scores, time, and age indicated a significance of 0.000 for all item associations in the professional, all-nurse, and technical categories utilizing analysis of covariance, and 0.0000 utilizing Chi-Square analysis.2. For Hypotheses II and III, the main effect for degree work when covaried with the aforementioned variables indicated a significance of 0.000 utilizing analysis of covariance, and 0.0000 utilizing Chi-Square analysis.Conclusions1. Graduates of Baccalaureate degree programs do vary in conceptual and theoretical approach to nursing care in specific nursing care situations.2. There is a significant relationship between the level of basic educational preparation and the degree and proficiency of leadership demonstrated by a nurse in specific nursing care situations, particularly, when uncontrolled variables have been controlled.3. There is a significant relationship between educational preparation and degree of proficiency to which the nurse makes nursing diagnosis, executes, and implements the nursing process, and evaluates the effects of nursing interventions.