The purpose of this research was to study nurses' knowledge about and attitudes toward caring for patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the relationship of these factors with demographic and professional characteristics. Data were gathered by questionnaires mailed to a random sample of Registered Nurses in Erie County, NY. Results indicated that many of the nurses surveyed are fearful of contracting AIDS and do not have confidence in their ability to meet the intense physical and psychological needs of patients with this illness. Further, the data suggest that caring for individuals with AIDS may be complicated by the fact that a large proportion of these patients are homosexuals who are terminally ill. The findings lead to the conclusion that targeted intervention strategies are necessary to prepare nurses to met the emerging needs of the escalating AIDS epidemic and to help assure that quality of care will be maximized.