Nursing is changing dynamically and nurses are becoming more educated about their professional lives. The education of nurses is essential in modern health care, but their views of their profession are also important for the success in their professional life later on. The ability to master modern technology, as well as the humanity of future professionals and the willingness to continue training, become important for the better performance and efficiency of nurses. In this regard, it is important to know the views and opinions of current nursing students about their profession. The aim of this research was to examine the opinion of nursing students in the first, second and third year of study about their own future profession. One of the goals was to examine the connection between different ways of thinking about their own profession. The study compared nursing students at the Zagreb Polytechnic and at the Polytechnic of Bjelovar. The analysis was performed with regards to full-time and part-time students. The survey was conducted through a questionnaire prepared solely for this purpose. The participants completed the survey independently and anonymously. During their studies the students do not develop awareness of the practical application of the acquired knowledge. They cannot assess whether they have acquired sufficient knowledge through the education system to apply their skills. The importance of lifelong learning in the nursing profession is recognized by all students who also feel that nurses have the same authority as other team members, they plan to work in the field of nursing, as well as continue their education and advancement on a personal and professional level. Students in the lower years of study believe that medical instructions and guidelines have an absolute authoritative power for the nursing profession if they are related to the treatment of patients. They perceive nurses as the physicians’ assistants and believe that the progress of the nursing profession does not endanger other team members and that they have sufficient knowledge and skills to work independently, which can be attributed to a lack of self-awareness in terms of responsibility. Third-year students believe that nurses can advance and gain knowledge in the area of their personal and professional interests. They are more aware of the extent to which they are valued by other team members. The further students are in their studies, the more they are aware of the importance of nursing research in advancing the profession as well as in functioning of the overall health system. Students believe that nurses are autonomous in acting in accordance with the competencies of their own profession. Both full-time and part-time students at the Zagreb Polytechnic consider that increasing the level of autonomy and responsibility of nurses and technicians in patient care only somewhat improves the position of the nursing profession. The opinions of nursing students at Zagreb and Bjelovar differ in the claims that nurses have sufficient knowledge and skills to work independently. Nurses are not at all or are only somewhat satisfied with the pay they get for their work. Most of the respondents contemplate going to work abroad but think they are unlikely to do so.