Objective To investigate knowledge，attitude，and practice （KAP） status of initiating do-not-resuscitate （DNR） among nurses in Chinese emergency department （ED），and analyze the related influencing factors. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted by multi-stage sampling of ED nurses in 36 tertiary Garde A hospitals in 18 provinces（municipalities and autonomous regions） across China. The questionnaire consisted of two parts：general in- formation of the respondents and the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice Scale of Initiating DNR among emergency medical staff. Results A total of 701 valid questionnaires were returned. The scores of knowledge，attitude and practice dimensions were （42.68±6.23），（44.13±6.62） and （37.45±7.31），respectively，with a total score of （124.26±17.58）. The results of correlation analysis showed that there was a two-by-two correlation between knowledge，attitude and practice of DNR initiation among ED nurses（P<0.05）. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that the years of working in ED was an influencing factor of knowledge；ethnicity，years of working in ED，employment type and previous experience of DNR communication were influencing factors of attitude；ethnicity，previous experi- ence of DNR communication and the presence of DNR-related system in the department were influencing factors of practice. Conclusion ED nurses have a good level of initiating DNR knowledge and a moderate level of attitude and practice. Nursing managers and educators should establish and improve a systematic DNR education and train- ing system so as to improve the DNR clinical communication practice of ED nurses.