The enduring debates about the public image of nursing have intensified as the nursing shortage increases focus on the nursing profession. Though the present shortage is created and sustained by multiple factors, image seems to surface in any of these discussions. Today, much about nursing and its practitioners has changed, but many negative stereotypes remain. The purpose of this study was to investigate nursing students' perceptions of the public image of nursing and the extent to which these perceptions impact these students' self-concept and academic performance in nursing school. A convenience sample of 2 classes of Associate Degree nursing students ( n = 63) participated in this quantitative descriptive study. Participants completed 2 questionnaires: Images of the Nurse Survey-1 to measure their perceptions of the public image of nursing; and Images of the Nurse Survey-2 to measure their self-concept. Participants' nursing school grades were accessed for comparison with survey data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation. Hypothesis 1, which predicted a positive relationship between participants' perception of the public image of nursing and their self-concept, was supported by the data. Hypothesis 2, which predicted a positive relationship between participants' self-concept and grades earned in nursing school was not supported. Overall, these participants viewed the public image of nursing as positive and they indicated positive self-concepts. Findings from this study have implications for practice and they support recommendations for future research. Since the public image of nurses and nursing can have a critical impact on nurses' self-concept, it has the potential to have a critical impact on whether nursing is chosen as a career as well as the effective functioning of nurses in a wide array of situations. It follows that whatever improves and enhances the public image of nurses and nursing should be embraced and fully utilized.