PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate nurses' awareness of psychological distress and delirium in cancer patients and job stress. METHODS: The participants were 256 nurses in a cancer general hospital. The nurses' awareness of psychological distress and delirium was investigated using a self-report questionnaire (1–4 scale) developed by the researcher. Psychological distress was measured by depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Job stress was measured using the Korean version of the Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (1–4 scale). RESULTS: The analysis of 9 questionnaires about nurses' awareness was divided into two factors: nurses' competence and importance. Nurses' competence results were 2.06 (depression), 2.17 (anxiety), 2.29 (insomnia), and 2.41 (delirium). Importance results were 3.23 (depression), 3.20 (anxiety), 3.15 (insomnia), and 3.37 (delirium). Most nurses have experienced nursing psychological distress and delirium in cancer patients, but only about a quarter have received the relevant education. Job stress was 2.52 and in subcategories, work load received the highest score 2.92. CONCLUSION: Nurses recognize that psychological distress and delirium in cancer patients are very important, but they are less aware of their competence. Therefore, it is suggested to develop an educational program to improve nurses' competence when dealing with psychological distress and delirium.