['Determining the reasons people choose to study nursing may help educators and managers develop student-focussed and enticing nursing programmes. In Australia, little research has been undertaken with students entering nursing programmes and the reasons for their choice.', 'The aim of this study was to determine why new students choose to enter nursing at university.', 'A descriptive survey design.', 'An urban university in Sydney, Australia.', 'Undergraduate nursing students at the beginning of their first year of study.', "An open-ended question relating to the reasons for students' choice of a nursing programme was included in the survey. The transcribed textual data were content analysed for words related to the students' choice.", "The students' reasons for entering nursing programmes were both personal and career related, with personal being more dominant. The reasons to start nursing were: being able to help and care for people, job security, the ability to enter tertiary education and the enjoyment or love of nursing."] Do the reasons students choose to undertake a nursing degree?