Health care in the United States has experienced rapid and dramatic changes in the last decade. Changes within the health care system have resulted in major transitions within the profession of nursing. This nonexperimental, descriptive study explored the professional socialization of graduating students of two-plus two baccalaureate completion nursing programs as compared with the professional socialization of graduating students of generic baccalaureate programs. The difference in professional role socialization between students from the two basic RN education programs prior to BSN completion was also explored.;The study explored the relationship between professional role socialization and age, and for the baccalaureate completion students, the relationship between professional role socialization and years of employment as a RN, and professional role socialization and area of major nursing experience. The survey population was graduating students from NLN accredited baccalaureate nursing programs, both generic and two-plus-two completion, in a 15-state region. The general model of socialization developed by Hinshaw (1977) provided the theoretical basis for this study.;Autonomy, noted as a mark of professionalism, was measured by the Nursing Activity Scale (NAS) developed by Schutzenhofer (1987). No significant difference was found between the level of professional socialization of graduating students of two-plus-two baccalaureate completion nursing programs and graduating students of generic baccalaureate programs. No significant difference was found in professional socialization between students from the two basic RN education programs prior to BSN completion. No significant relationship was found between professional socialization and age for all the respondents, and between professional socialization and years of employment as a RN, and professional role socialization and area of major nursing experience for the baccalaureate completion students.;Although the movement toward the baccalaureate degree as entry into practice is a goal that will move nursing closer to recognition by other disciplines as a true profession, there is currently a need to provide continuing education for the many who do not have a baccalaureate degree. The creation and development of baccalaureate completion programs should be encouraged so that nurses with a diploma or an associate degree will have an avenue for furthering their education.