Objective To explore the attitude and caring intent toward death among nursing students,so as to provide information for nursing school to make a point of taking death education. Methods 225 samples of nursing students from three grades of Shanghai Jiaotong University were conducted questionnaire research. The Questionnaire included personal background, personal thanatopsis, students' attitude and caring intention to death. Results Students with high grade, practical experience in clinical settings, or with experience in death care showed a positive thanatopsis and high awareness while negative caring intention on death events. Against the backdrop of pre-school in rural areas showed more positive care intention. The death attitude of nursing students was also affected by their health status and other factors. Conclusions The death education should focus on the building of caring intention and caring behavior for nursing students.