The recognition for psychiatric patients of nursing students is different from that for other patients. The prejudice or incorrect understanding of the psychiatric patients has been widely spreading even to nursing students. The purpose of this study was to identify to recognition of nursing students through Q-methodology. A sample was development through a review literature, in-depth interviews and open questionnaire. Thirty four statements made up the finalized Q-sample. The P sample consisted of 56 nursing students in J College. Q-statements were written separate cards and were given to the 34 subjects sort according to degree of agreement and disagreement. The Q-sort by each subject were coded and analyzed with Quanl PC program. The analysis discovered four major recognition. "type 1: positive open", "type 2: psychological burden", "type 3: conditional accept", "type 4: positive restriction". This study leads nursing students to recognize and understand psychiatric patients in a positive way and facilitates more appropriate strategies to develop further psychiatric mental health nursing curriculum. The author suggests that this result is adequately applied to nursing students during the clinical experience in the psychiatric unit. This study will surely help nursing students to understand nursing educators and clinical nursing staff. Finally, faculty members should provide empathetic support and effective educational environment with the students. Also, effective guide program is required to improve students` motivation and satisfaction with nursing as a major.