Background Research in nursing, as in other biomedical professions, is of paramount importance. Nursing students are required to attend research methodology courses during their studies. However, nursing research is lagging behind other biomedical fields. Objectives This study aimed to examine attitudes and factors that influence the choice of thesis type (original research versus essay-type literature review) among Croatian nursing students. Methods This cross-sectional study included nursing students from 8 health sciences studies in Croatia in the 2020/2021 academic year. Data were collected using the Students' Attitudes Toward Research (SAR) questionnaire and questions assessing potential barriers toward research. Results There were 912 students (25 % response rate) included in the study. In the regression analysis of the total sample, mentor encouragement (β 0.200; P < 0.001), knowledge (β 0.137; P = 0.011), and sense of ability to conduct research (β 0.191; P < 0.001) were positively associated with the SAR score, while the expectation that a research-based thesis will extend the study duration was negatively associated with the SAR score (β −0.124; P = 0.036). Among bachelor's students, the sense of ability to conduct research (β 0.255; P < 0.001) was positively associated, while the expectation that a research-based thesis will extend the study duration was negatively associated with the SAR score (β −0.157; P = 0.053). Among master's students, mentor encouragement (β 0.415; P < 0.001), knowledge (β 0.261; P < 0.001), and sense of ability to conduct research (β 0.151; P = 0.045) were positively associated with the SAR score. A higher SAR score was associated with a higher likelihood of selecting a research thesis (OR [95 % CI]; P: 1.026 [1.014–1.038]; P < 0.001). Conclusions Our study revealed modifiable factors associated with positive attitudes toward scientific research and preference for a research-based thesis among nursing students. Policy-makers should consider our results and change nursing studies' curricula and mentors should encourage students to engage in research and conduct research-based thesis even if there are other thesis options available.