This paper presents a formulation to include the prestressing effects in available numerical models for the nonlinear material, instantaneous and long-term analysis of prestressed concrete shell structures, based on the displacement formulation of the finite element method. A four-node flat shell element is adopted for nonlinear analysis of prestressed concrete shells. This element was incorporated into an existing general-purpose finite element analysis program. A distinctive characteristic of the element is its capability to simulate the behavior of shells subjected to a variety of types of loading and drilling rotational stiffness. Consequently, the response of prestressed concrete shell structures can be predicted accurately using the proposed nonlinear finite element procedure.