A cross-sectional survey was sent to a convenience sample of all nurses (n = 341) working in 12 acute-care (i.e., medical, surgical, and mixed) inpatient wards in a large teaching hospital situated in the middle of Japan. Nurses working in pediatric, psychiatric, and obstetric wards, as well as those in outpatient care departments, were excluded. The hospital provides advanced treatment to patients, has approximately 750 beds and employs 870 nurses. In 2011 the average length of stay was 12 days. The hospital has certification from the Japan Council for Quality Health Care and was in the process of seeking Magnet Recognition Status from the American Nurse Credentialing Centre during the survey period.