The purpose of this study was to explore the structure and characteristics of nursing college students' personality-based career attitudes.

A Q-methodology was used to identify factors in nursing students' personality-based career attitudes. A Q sample was collected from in-depth and objective interviews and literature reviews. A P sample consisted of 27 nursing students.

Results revealed three factors: Deliberateness-oriented, Positive-oriented, and Negative-oriented. The ‘Deliberateness-oriented’ factor was characterized by preference of logical and objective ways in evaluation and trying to seek deep relationships with only a small number of people. The ‘Positive-oriented’ factor showed creative, autonomous and sociable traits and put value on extensive interpersonal relations. The ‘Negative-oriented’ factor focused on possibility and enjoyed artistic actions. All 3 factors were negative in NGO or political activities.

Based on this result, curriculum development for nursing students should give students a variety of experiences. These findings will be the basic data for finding appropriate positions within the work place for nursing students and help them select appropriate careers for their own personality types.