Background <p>The prevalence of back pain and neck/shoulder pain among nurses is high. This study reports a detailed description of health related characteristics of experienced nurses with and without severe back pain or severe neck/shoulder pain in Sweden.</p> Methods <p>Cross-sectional data was collected in a national investigation of nursing graduates from 26 Swedish universities to identify three groups of nurses 11–15 years after graduation: nurses with severe back pain (<i>n</i> = 212), nurses with severe neck/shoulder pain (<i>n</i> = 277), and nurses with no or little such pain (<i>n</i> = 1525). Severe pain was defined as much discomfort from pain the preceding four weeks. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise general health and pain characteristics, use of health resources and impact of pain on work.</p> Results <p>Nurses with severe back or neck/shoulder pain described worse general state of health and lifestyle, such as personal or mental health problems, fatigue, dizziness and pain in other body regions, less physical activity and lower sleep quality, than those with no or little pain. They used more health resources as over-the-counter and prescription painkillers and care seeking for physical ailments. The course of the severe pain was often persistent, and those nurses commonly reduced their working hours, changed work tasks, and had days off work.</p> Conclusions <p>This study describes variations of nurses’ health related characteristics by pain levels. Experienced nurses with severe back or neck/shoulder pain describe worse states of general health and lifestyle, and more use of health resources than experienced nurses with no or little such pain. The course of the severe pain is often persistent and affects work capacity.</p> Clinical trial number <p>Not applicable.</p>