Purpose: Purposes of this study were to identify non-value-added nursing activities (NVANAs) and to estimate the amount of time spent on NVANAs among total nursing activities. Methods: Non-value-added nursing activities were identified though the use of a focus group. The nurses in the focus group were nurses working in a tertiary hospital. They discussed possible activities that could be NVANAs. Based on the focus group discussion, a pilot study was done to examine the actual occurrence of NVANAs in clinical settings. Results: The focus group discussion showed that NVANAs occurred in ten categories of nursing performances including communication with physicians, communication with other departments, medications, equipment^{plies, nursing records, tests, admission, discharge, and transfer. Direct nursing activities accounted for 35.5% of total nursing activities while indirect nursing activities accounted for 64.5%. Of indirect nursing activities, 16% were NVANAs. Most NVANAs were related to communication and equipment}supplies. Conclusions: To improve the quality and efficiency of nursing activities, it is necessary to identify NVANAs and their causes. Results of this study suggest that improvement in the work process and nursing unit structure, support for equipment/supplies, and effective communication are needed to reduce NVANAs in tertiary hospitals in Korea.