UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                      ------------------------------------

                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT
                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


DATE OF REPORT: NOVEMBER 15, 2002                    COMMISSION FILE NO. 2-28596
(DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED: NOVEMBER 15, 2002)


                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


              OHIO                                       31-4156830
  (State or other jurisdiction              (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
of incorporation or organization)


                              ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA
                              COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215
                                 (614) 249-7111
               (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
        including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)




ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.

        On November 15, 2002, Nationwide Life Insurance Company announced that
        the Board of Directors has elected Mark R. Thresher to the position of
        Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer, effective November 18,
        2002.



                                    SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                        ---------------------------------
                                                  (Registrant)


Date: November 15, 2002                 /s/ Mark R. Thresher
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Mark R. Thresher
                                        Senior Vice President - Finance -
                                        Nationwide Financial
                                        (Chief Accounting Officer)