Objective To test the research and publication, and to explore the factors influencing the quantity of publication by nursing master students. Methods The questionnaire survey was used to test the research activities and publication in 198 nursing master students from 15 Schools of Nursing. Results Of 198 master nursing students, here were 13.1%(26/198)master nursing students joined university research program, 51.0%(101/198)joined province leveled research program and 60.6%(120/198)participated academic conferences at the different levels. The total number of published papers for master students was 374. Nursing master students published papers in Chinese core journals, core journals of science and technology, and general journal accounting for 28.3% (56/198), 44.9% (89/198), 54.0% (107/198), respectively. 3.0% (6/198) student got certificates of patents. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that grade, part-time, institutional environment, students' endeavor, research interest, and influence from advisor impacted the number of publishing papers for nursing master students. These variables explained 43.9% of the total variances. Conclusions Nursing master students take part in the limited research activities, and the number of published papers is enhanced. The effective measures targeting at these influence factors are developed for students, such as more chances for them to join research activities, strengthening research interests, rigor research rules, training and monitoring students' research behavior, role modeling of advisors.