Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze key performance indicators using a balanced scorecard in the nursing department of hospitals, and to find useful suggestions for future research. Methods: Before starting the literature search clear inclusion and exclusion criteria were determined. After that, were viewed 41 studies from the RISS, KISS, National assembly library, and NDSLDB. Data were collected on October 17, 2013. Researchers developed an analytic framework for the literature review using a balanced score card development process and construction steps of previous studies. This framework had 10 steps related to the balanced score card development process. Results: A total of 10 studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. We identified 234 key performance indicators for the nursing department. The average number was 6.6 in finance perspective, 8.6 in perspective, 11.9 in internal process perspective, and 6.2 in learning and growth perspective. We found that 173 indicators had been cited only once. 61 indicators were cited over twice. Further, 8 indicators employed different perspectives on different studies. Conclusion: The results of the present study summarize useful information on recent trends on key performance indicators using a balanced score card in the nursing department of hospitals. These results will help develop key performance indicators and provide directions for future research.