Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide a fundamental data for improving nurses' working environment and securing quality of nursing care. Method: It was consisted of analyzing education system and employment status of nursing personnel, and focus group interviews in Cheju Island. Results: Total graduates were 4,139 by 2006 from two nursing schools in Cheju. Difficulties in working conditions from focal group interviews were classified into four categories; Lack of anonymity of nurses, the burden from performing nontraditional nursing roles due to shortage of physicians, irregularity of working schedule and too many night shifts for taking care of female colleague's condition related with pregnancy, and poor support for implementing and developing professional nursing. Conclusion: A survey revealing working condition of nursing personnel of all health care institutions in Cheju Island will provide the comparison between Cheju Island and other areas. It needs to cultivate the public opinion about the importance of quality of nursing care proceeded by the broad support for improving nurses' working environment. It is essential to support continuing education to bring professional nurses and establishing the system to utilize them to overcome the shortage of physicians in Cheju Island.