Purpose: This study aimed to identify the mediating effects of career motivation and job-esteem and the effect of the nursing work environment on intention to stay among hospital nurses. Methods: Data were collected from 289 nurses working at an advanced general hospital. The research model design was based on the PROCESS macro proposed by Hayes and analyzed using SPSS 24.0 program. Results: The results showed a positive correlation between intention to stay and nursing work environment (r = .19, p = .001), career motivation (r= .34, p < .001), and job-esteem (r = .37, p < .001). Nursing work environment (B = 0.34 [.09~.59]) and job-esteem (B = 0.27 [.04~.49]) had a direct effect on intention to stay. There was a two-mediator sereal mediation effect of career motivation and job-esteem. The nursing work environment showed a significant effect on the intention to stay among hospital nurses through career motivation and job-esteem. Conclusion: In order to increase the retention rate of hospital nurses, it is suggested that government and medical institutions provide multifaceted support that can increase nurses’ motivation for career development and recognition of the nursing profession through improvement of the nursing work environment.