All 441 National League for Nursing (NLN)-accredited baccalaureate nursing programs in the US were surveyed by mail in March/April 1986 to determine the level of computer assisted instruction (CAI) use. Of the 339 (76.9%) who responded, 164 (48.4%) indicated CAI use. Fifty-six (16.5%) respondents identified CAI use in courses required prior to nursing courses, and 151 (44.5%) respondents indicated its use in nursing courses. One hundred forty-five respondents identified the program level for nursing CAI use. CAI was found at all program levels. Commercial CAI packages were used by 143 (91.7%) of the 156 respondents who indicated its origin, and locally developed CAI was used by 61 (39.1%) respondents. Simulations were heavily used. Problem solving was the instructional method identified most frequently. Of the 200 respondents who indicated their future plans, 110 (55%) described plans to implement CAI soon. Inadequate funding was the major reason for nonuse of CAI.