Objective To investigate the cognition and application of nursing quality management tools among nursing staff in Liao-ning province, and to provide reference for nursing training and high-quality development of nursing.Methods Using stratified random sampling combined with convenience sampling, a questionnaire survey was conducted among directors of nursing department and 4 355 nursing staff in 238 hospitals in Liaoning province.Results Greater than ninety percent (92.44%) of the hospitals had used quality management tools, with the average number of tools used being 2.86.More than ninety percent (90.38%) of the nurses had used quality management tools, but only 34.54% of them reported that they were very familiar with the tools used.Nurses scored 49.74±15.76 for awareness of, and 21.02±3.55 for attitudes toward quality management tools.The barriers to use of quality management tools by nurses were lack of experience, insufficient knowledge, heavy workload, and inadequate technology infrastructure and IT support of the hospital, etc.Conclusion The categories and scope of management tools applied in nursing practice should be increased.Nurses′cognition and application abilities also need to be improved.Hospitals should push the application of quality management tools and conduct targeted training for nurses.