Purpose: The present study was done to investigate nursing needs perceived by elders residing in a nursing home. Method: The participants were elders 65 years of age or older residing in a public nursing home located in Seoul. Out of 280 elderly residents, 72 elders participated in personal interviews for this study. Except for one incomplete questionnaire, the collected data from 71 respondents were analyzed. Nursing needs were measured in terms of physical, informational and emotional · spiritual areas. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficients. In addition, Scheffé test was applied in the post-hoc test. Result: Of the three areas of nursing needs, the average level was highest for emotional · spiritual nursing needs and lowest for physical nursing needs. Informational nursing needs were significantly higher in those whose health was ‘moderate’ compared to those whose health was ‘poor’. Informational nursing needs revealed a negative correlation with age (r=-.25, p=.039). Conclusion: Nursing services in nursing homes require paricular efforts in order to satisfy emotional and spiritual needs of elderly residents. Further studies should be done including elders with various characteristics to promote quality of nursing care in nursing homes.