Public health nurses are key players in both administrative and direct service aspects of community health. The shrinking pool of nurses, competitive hiring practices, and individual attitudes about the role of the public health nurse make nurse recruitment into public health increasingly difficult. This thesis proposed that the undergraduate nursing population have attitudes about public health nursing that negatively impact their desire to pursue it as a career upon graduation. To test the thesis, senior baccalaureate students were surveyed to determine priorities when choosing a position, attractiveness of career options, and attitudes about C/PHN. Nursing schools in the area were contacted regarding willingness to participate. 151 students from one public and two private nursing schools completed the survey. Students had the highest level of interest in hospital/acute care nursing (82% vs. 15% for C/PHN). Only one-third of respondents had no interest in C/PHN nursing. The majority of students think that nurses in C/PHN were paid at a lower level, were not always valued, and did not utilize all of the skills of a baccalaureate-educated nurse. C/PHN recruitment efforts can benefit from understanding the mindset of the graduating nurse. Efforts to establish quality clinical and learning opportunities can introduce the student to the role’s potential. These opportunities can also become positive community contacts for later career choices. While the new nurse is not likely to pursue C/PHN as an entry position, building early quality relationships may ease recruitment efforts at later career time points.