Purpose: This study aimed to explore nursing students’ experiences of observing surgeries in the operating room. Methods: The data were collected through written scripts of nursing students who participated in the operating room practice. Data were analyzed via qualitative content analysis. Results: Five themes emerged from the data: ‘preparing with the thrilled hearts toward unknown area’, ‘drawing back in front of the mirror of realities’, ‘becoming an audience at a lifesaving orchestra’, ‘reaching a tipping point of knowing’, and ‘redrawing the trajectory of dream to be a nurse’. Conclusion: This study will prove helpful in describing their needs for systemic and emotional support. Findings indicated that major contributions of surgical observations to nursing students are more integrated understandings of nursing and the determinations of their career preferences.