Background <p>The accelerating global aging population creates an urgent demand for skilled geriatric nurses, yet geriatric nursing remains an unpopular career choice among vocational nursing students in China. Vocational institutions are strategically positioned to supply the core geriatric nursing workforce. This study aimed to evaluate vocational nursing students’ career intentions in geriatric nursing in Central-South China and identify the key influencing factors.</p> Methods <p>This cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2024, with five vocational institutions in Central-South China randomly selected using cluster sampling. Data were collected through a demographic questionnaire, the Facts on Aging Quiz 1 (FAQ1), and the Chinese version of Kogan’s Attitudes towards Old People (KAOP) Scale. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors influencing students’ career intentions in geriatric nursing.</p> Results <p>Of the 3622 surveyed students, 1763 (48.67%) expressed willingness to pursue geriatric nursing post-graduation. Influencing factors included sociodemographic characteristics (lower year of study, nursing as a first career choice), experiential and educational factors (positive intergenerational contact, prior practical experience, and perceived need for specialized geriatric courses), and stronger gerontological knowledge and positive attitudes toward older adults.</p> Conclusions <p>Vocational nursing students’ career intentions for geriatric nursing are at a low-to-moderate level. They are shaped by sociodemographic, experiential, and attitudinal-knowledge factors. Low knowledge levels necessitate targeted interventions. Integrating gerontological curricula, expanding clinical placements, and fostering intergenerational contact will nurture motivation and enhance preparedness in this critical healthcare sector.</p>