Objective To understand the internal structure,loss direction of loss nursing staff, compare the current condition of nurses loss between minorities and Han nationality nurses, analyze the relationship between nurse turnover intention and job satisfaction in second-class and upwards general hospital of Xinjiang. Methods Adopting stratified random method, nursing staff from 61 second-class and upwards general hospitals were selected to participate the questionnaire survey. Results Loss of nurses in Xinjiang increased year by year. Nurses with age under 35 years old, college education, employment and with primary titles were most vulnerable to loss. The turnover rate of nurses with Han nationality was higher than minority nurses. Income, occupational status, learning assistance services, opportunities for personal advancement and retirement benefits constituted negative correlation with turnover intention, among which income level was most related. Health care services, work scheduling arrangements and the components of job independence demonstrated no significant correlation. Conclusions To improve income level of nurses and increase working enthusiasm of nurses with higher education and employment nurses, especially nurses with Han nationality is an important means to reduce the loss of nurses.