Background Attracting and retaining newly registered nurses can be challenging for local employers. Students’ placement experiences may have a strong influence on their choice of their first job after registration, including whether they will consider working in the locality of their preregistration education programme.

Aim To understand the factors that influence final-year nursing students’ decision to seek their first job in the locality of their preregistration nurse education programme.

Method The study adopted a qualitative methodology involving the use of semi-structured interviews with 20 final-year adult and mental health nursing students. Interview data were transcribed, coded and organised into themes. Subthemes were generated based on participants’ perceptions and understanding of the influencing factors discussed in the interviews.

Findings Three main themes were identified: workplace culture and its influence on the choice of first job; role of professional development opportunities in the choice of first job; and influence of financial and other staff benefits on the choice of first job. Participants’ choice of first job, and whether they consider seeking it in the locality of their preregistration education programme, is strongly influenced by their practice placement experiences, particularly the workplace culture they have encountered in these settings.

Conclusion The study provides insights into the factors influencing final-year nursing students’ decisions regarding their first job and whether they seek it in the local area. These insights can be useful for employers when developing strategies for recruitment and retention and for placement providers and universities when considering how to enhance nursing students’ placement experiences.