Objective To analyze the status quo of knowledge, belief and practice for nurses in department of geriatric medicine before colonoscopy for elderly hospitalized patients and its influencing factors.

Methods Using the convenient sampling method, a total of 194 geriatric nurses from 10 tertiary hospitals in nine provinces and cities were selected as investigated objects, and filled out questionnaires (general information, knowledge dimension, attitude dimension, behavior dimension) through the "Questionnaire Star" electronic platform.

Results A total of 194 geriatric nurses scored (20.15±4.28) in the knowledge dimension, (51.51±8.93) in the attitude dimension, and (103.50±16.81) in the behavior dimension for intestinal knowledge preparation. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the number of enteroscopy cases per month in the department, whether they had participated in intestinal preparation related training within 6 months or not, and the number of working years were influencing factors for knowledge, belief and practice of geriatric nurses on intestinal preparation before colonoscopy for elderly hospitalized patients(P < 0.05).

Conclusion The knowledge, belief and practice of geriatric nurses in tertiary hospitals for intestinal preparation need to be improved, the number of enteroscopy cases per month in the department, whether they have participated in intestinal preparation related training or not, and the number of working years are influencing factors.