This paper describes a three phase evaluation of nursing work patterns on two University Hospital Giessen medical wards and the influence of introducing electronic data processing into the nursing environment. Results of the first phase are presented. The first phase was a baseline evaluation prior to the introduction of any electronic data processing functions. Work sampling showed that, on average, 15% of a nurse's time was spent providing general nursing care, 35% on special nursing care, and 30% on administrative activities. The remaining 20% was used for activities not directly related to nursing. In addition, a survey was conducted, revealing that about one third of the nursing staff had had contact with computers prior to start of the study. The enthusiastic attitude toward using computers on the ward was striking. Nursing staff expected that their work would be easier after the introduction of computers, that electronic data processing would save time, and that the computers would be easy to use. The staff did not express such positive expectations for the use of bedside terminals or portable devices.