A cross-sectional study among a convenience sample of nurses in China was conducted to understand the factors affecting Chinese nurses' willingness to report to work in a disaster. A total of 946 questionnaires were collected. Nearly 90 percent of nurses regarded disaster self-help information, an evacuation plan, and contingency measures a must in preparing for disaster care. Many nurses indicated willingness to work during a disaster that may threaten the safety of their family members than when there is a life-threatening infectious disease outbreak (83.6 and 69.6 percent, p = 0.000). Nurses with longer years of clinical experience were more willing to work in both situations (p = 0.014 and 0.000). Fear of contracting an infectious disease and spreading it to family members was a major factor for nurses' unwillingness to report to work. Hospital administrators should understand their workforce's willingness in reporting to work and provide appropriate disaster training and support to maximize workforce in a disaster.