Job satisfaction among nurses is of concern throughout the world but the satisfaction of nurse teachers has received less attention and no review of global research on the topic has been published. A comprehensive literature review (1976-2007) was undertaken from an international perspective (n=26 papers and 4 doctoral abstracts) to examine the state of knowledge about nurse teachers' job satisfaction over time. Coverage over the last 30 years was selected to examine if the level and contributing factors to nurse teachers' job satisfaction have changed during a time which has seen considerable developments and reorganization of nurse education as well as the role of nurse teachers. The purpose of this Part I paper is to: (i) review the different measurements of job satisfaction, (ii) report the job satisfaction levels of nurse teachers and, (iii) identify the components of job satisfaction of nurse teachers. This paper provides the foundation for the Part II paper which reviews the literature regarding the effects and related factors of nurse teachers' job satisfaction.