The increased use of unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) has raised the question: "What nursing research has been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the UAP in relation to patient outcomes?" To answer this question, the New York State Nurses Association Council on Nursing Research conducted a literature review on the issue of UAP. The specific purposes of this article are to: (a) present an overview of the health care climate and consumer and RN reaction in relation to the UAP movement, (b) summarize reported reviews of UAP research conducted between 1988 and 1994, (c) critique and synthesize the most recent UAP nursing research conducted between 1994 and 1997, and (d) make recommendations for education, practice, and research.