Objective To describe the levels of head nurses′ leadership style and nursing work environment, and to provide reference for head nurses to improve leadership style. Methods A total of 1 741 nurses in Shaanxi province were invited to complete the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire and Practice Environment Scale. Results The mean score of transformational leadership style was 2.68±0.84 and transactional leadership style was 2.27±0.47 respectively. The average score of work environment was 2.92±0.39. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that satisfaction with current work content, satisfaction with salary, working to live, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and management-by-exception-passive were the influencing factors of nurses′ perception of work environment （P<0.05,P<0.01）. Conclusion Work environment perception of nurses was at a medium level and was affected by head nurses′ leadership styles. Head nurses should utilize inspirational motivation and intellectual stimulation to enhance nurses′ perception of work environment and to stabilize nurse team.