Objective To understand knowledge of and attitude towards rehabilitation among nurses from 31 provinces and autonomous regions in China, and to provide reference for rehabilitation nursing training. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among 17 088 nurses in 155 hospitals in 31 provinces and autonomous regions of China. Results The nurses scored 4-54 (31.63±7.63) points in rehabilitation nursing knowledge, and 9-45(42.46±5.20) points in attitude.The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that the scores of rehabilitation nursing knowledge and attitude were significantly associated with levels of hospitals, nurses′ professional title, and working years (P＜0.05,P＜0.01). Conclusion China′s nurses have positive attitude towards rehabilitation nursing, but their knowledge level needs to be improved. Measures should be taken to ramp up rehabilitation nursing training targeting grass-root hospitals and junior nurses, in an effort to boost development of rehabilitation nursing in China.