Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among perceived organizational support, intention to remain, career success and self-esteem in male nurses in China. Background: Recently, turnover is considered increasingly more normal. Male nurses could be stabilized by improving their perceived organizational support, career success and self-esteem. Design: A cross-sectional design was used in the present study. Method: 405 full-time male Registered Nurses, from Grade A hospitals in Tianjin, were surveyed. Pearson correlation, Cronbach's alpha coefficient and structural equation modelling were conducted in the study. Results: The results illustrated that self-esteem mediated the relationship between perceived organizational support and career success. Career success mediated the relationship between self-esteem and intention to remain. Conclusion: Hospitals should pay more attention to the benefits of positive personality trait on working motivation. It is meaningful to enhance perceived organizational support, career success and self-esteem in the working process so that nurses are willing to stay in the current employment.