Abstract: Objective To investigate professional attitude of nursing students in school and nursing students in practice，and to provide basis for nursing educators to help nursing students establish positive and healthy professional attitude. Methods This study used the convenience sampling to make professional attitude survey for 75 nursing students in school （grade 2013）and 75 nursing students in practice（grade 2012）in one medicine school from Feb. ，2016 to Apr. ，2016. Results The professional attitude of nursing students in school was（5. 91 ± 0. 86），which was higher than that of nursing students in practice（5. 23 ± 0. 94）. The difference was statistically significant （P < 0. 05）. The overall situation of nursing students′ professional attitude was neutral and positive，but there were differences in the order of professional attitude words. Conclusion The professional attitude of nursing students in school was better than that of nursing students in practice；the identity of nursing profession of nursing students in school was higher than that of nursing students in practice.

Key words: nursing students in school, nursing students in practice, professional attitude