ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the environment of the professional practice of the nursing staff from inpatient units and to compare it according to professional and work characteristics. Method: A cross-sectional analytical study conducted in southern Brazil. Data was collected through the Brazilian version of the Nursing Work Index-Revised with a sample of (n=142) professionals, them being nurses (n=56; 34.9%) and nursing technicians/assistants (n=86; 60.6%). The analysis was performed by means of descriptive and analytical statistics Results: The professional practice environment was considered favorable in all the subscales. The subscale of relationships between physicians/nursing staff showed a significant difference among the professional categories, with better results for nurses. The afternoon shift stood out in the favorable assessment. Longer working time at the institution and unit tended to have worse assessments for autonomy and control, respectively. Conclusion: The assessment of the practice environment was favorable; however, the study signals opportunities for improvements for the nursing team.