Abstract: This study explores the professional self-image of registered nurses, and investigates whether there were significant differences between Registered General and Obstetric nurses, and Comprehensive nurses; full-time staff; and between the work areas of Surgical, Medical and Obstetrics.A questionnaire designed by the researcher was used too collect data. From a stratified random sample of 230, a total of 209 Staff Nurses at Waikato Hospital completed the questionnaire (91% response). The sample was stratified by qualification, by type of employment, and by area of work.Results showed that overall in this study held a self-image not in keeping with the modern changing role of nursing. Significant differences were frequently found between full-time and part-time staff, and even fewer between the areas of work.Based on he results of this study, it was concluded that urgent action in needed to improve the self-esteem and self-image held by nurses, and even further research needs to be conducted into the following areas: attitudes, values and images held by nurses; attitudes and images held by the public, by patients and by student nurses