-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 TZQIopUTPN7Y6e5RAHW5aTP9+EaRvdgs0GA97mFlpp6++E4ow3UjC/t14IEkjfhc
 H22lbJAkZgBI2grKejHzxw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001225208-04-000126.txt : 20040129
<SEC-HEADER>0001225208-04-000126.hdr.sgml : 20040129
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040129175242
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001225208-04-000126
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040128
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040129

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BANKS DAVID R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001192775

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09028
		FILM NUMBER:		04553655

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O RALCORP HOLDINGS INC
		STREET 2:		800 MARKET ST
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63101

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O RALCORP HOLDINGS INC
		STREET 2:		800 MARKET ST
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63101

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NATIONWIDE HEALTH PROPERTIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000780053
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				953997619
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		610 NEWPORT CENTER DR
		STREET 2:		STE 1150
		CITY:			NEWPORT BEACH
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92660-6429
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9497184400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		610 NEWPORT CENTER DR
		STREET 2:		STE 1150
		CITY:			NEWPORT BEACH
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92660-6429

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BEVERLY INVESTMENT PROPERTIES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19890515
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-01-28</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000780053</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NATIONWIDE HEALTH PROPERTIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NHP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001192775</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BANKS DAVID R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>610 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1150</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEWPORT BEACH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92660</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>common stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>23700</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>David R. Banks</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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