The purpose of this study was to investigate the needs for the Nursing Information System(NIS) according to the level of nursing informatization in general hospitals and to provide effective NIS development strategies reflecting nurses' needs.

Informatics nurses or nurses in charge of Nursing Information Systems in 41 general hospitals in Seoul and Kyeonggi province were surveyed using a questionnaire developed by the researchers based on literature reviews and a pilot study conducted in four teaching hospitals. Data were analyzed using the ANOVA and Scheffe tests.

It was found that the higher level of informatization, the higher user satisfaction level. There were significant differences in demands for vital sign records and the nursing manpower management programs according to nursing informatization level. The higher level of informatization is, the more needs for computerization are. There were significant differences in need for 'Support from director' for system development and need for 'Office Automation(OA) application' for education by nursing informatization level. The higher level of informatizaion is, the less needs for OA application education are.

We found that the needs for the NIS were varied according to the level of nursing informatization. This study asserts that when developing nursing information system, differences in system demand by nurses according to the level of informatization should be taken into consideration.