Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium that affects humans and causes several syndromes and infections with fast evolution which can endanger the patient's life. Investigate the incidence of nasal carriers of S. aureus among graduation nursing students who attends to the hospital for at least one year. 122 samples from the nasal cavities were analyzed. The identification of the bacteria was performed by conventional bacteriological methods. The antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed using the BioMerieux Vitek system in the Bacteriology Laboratory of the Brazilian Army Biology Institute - IBEx. Of the 122 examined students, 51 were carriers of S. aureus, corresponding to a prevalence of 41.8%. The results demonstrated that nursing students who attend the hospital environment are more susceptible to carry S. aureus antibiotic-resistant strains. We suggest periodic medical exams to these students for appropriated antibiotic therapy and adopt precautionary measures in order to avoid the interpersonal transmission of the bacteria in the relationship with health professionals and patients at the hospital environment