Purpose. This study was to intended to identify relationship between stress, self-esteem, mental health and suicidal ideation in nursing students. Methods. Participants were 338 nursing students who studied in 2 nursing colleges in Gyeongsangnam-do. The period of data collection was from November 1 to 10, 2014. The data ware analyzed by Frequencies, t-test, one way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and Stepwise multiple regression using the SPSS 20.0 program. Results. The results are as followed : First, the average of stress, self-esteem, mental health, and suicidal-ideation was $2.60{\pm}0.57$, $3.64{\pm}0.44$, $2.18{\pm}0.38$, and $1.46{\pm}0.37$ points. Second, suicidal ideation was significantly different according to personality, adaption of environment, health status, satisfaction on nursing major, and satisfaction on school life. Third, suicidal ideation was correlated with mental health positively and self-esteem negatively. Forth, the influencing factor in suicidal ideation of participants was mental health, self-esteem, and adaptation of environment, $R^2=.669$. Conclusions. Development and application of counseling and regular education program to decrease stress, suicidal ideation and raise self-esteem, mental-health, and adaptation of environment are required, practical education program should to conducted and studies showing its results and effect are also needed.