Objective To explore the level and classification of resourcefulness among tertiary hospital nurses, and to provide refe-rence for targeted intervention. Methods A total of 1 026 nurses were selected from 9 tertiary hospitals in Chengdu and surveyed using the Resourcefulness Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results By employing latent class analysis, resourcefulness of nurses could be classified into 4 categories: low-level (14.23%), general (45.91%), somewhat strong (33.33%), and strong (6.53%).Multiple linear regression showed hospital type, whether teaching hospital or not and frequency of night shift were factors influencing resourcefulness of nurses (P＜0.05 for all). Conclusion The resourcefulness of nurses is mostly at general level and can be classified into 4 subtypes. Nurses who are working in comprehensive hospital or teaching hospital have stronger resourcefulness, while increased frequency of night shift might impede the development of resourcefulness. Nursing managers could provide targeted training for nurses according to different subtypes of resource fulness.