This paper aims to evaluate nursing students' academic motivation, using as methodology descriptive research with quantitative approach. The result indicates a significant statistic of students already working in the nursing technical area (p < 0.001). The results show self-determined motivational profile in regard to motivations and academic perspectives, with higher level of motivation autonomy, featuring students committed to satisfying their personal and professional need for development. It was verified the absence of motivation in small groups of students. The conclusion indicates that learning about the students' academic motivational profile highlights the importance of examining the continuous process of self-determination, following paths for growth and quality of human relatedness, and giving us a glance into effective and significant learning toward excellence in the professional training and efficient and humanized professional practice.