Purpose: This is a descriptive study to identify the self esteem and career identity of nursing students. Method: The sample consisted of 416 junior nursing students of diploma programs in the cities of Seoul and Kyung-gi area, and Kyungbook province. Data were analyzed by the program of SPSS WIN 11.5. Results: Self esteem was significantly higher in the students attending rural school than in those attending urban school (F=3.46, p<.03), in those between the age of 24-25 years than in the rest (F=2,17, p<.05), and in those satisfied on admission to nursing school than in those less satisfied (F=3.12 p<.04). Career identity was significantly higher in the students between the age of 24-25 years than in the rest (F=6.10, p<.000), and in those satisfied on admission to nursing school than in those less satisfied (F=49.64, p<.000). The results of correlational analysis between self esteem and career identity revealed that career identity increased with increasing self esteem(r=.316 p<.001). Conclusion: Based on the above findings, programs are needed for the improvement of self esteem and career identity, and further research is suggested on the development of such programs.