Work and personal factors associated with occupational back pain were investigated based upon responses to questionnaires administered to hospital nurses. Factor analysis of outcome measures developed two indices of occupational back pain: "pain factor" and "impact factor." Factor analysis also separated reported work activities into five groups. By logistic regression, frequency of "carrying and pushing" and "patient care activity" were associated with occupational back pain. These findings suggest that research and training should not focus on patient transfers only, but must emphasize nonpatient contact activities performed by nurses.