Objective: Estimate the empathic orientation and behavior of the structure of the empathy construct in nursing students at the Universidad Mayor, Temuco Campus (Chile). Materials and methods: The Spanish version of the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy for students was applied. It is culturally validated through criteria for judges. Internal reliability was estimated using Cronbach’s alpha test and Tukey’s additivity test. The averages of the summations of the data on the participants were compared through a two-way ANOVA and Duncan’s test. Sampling adequacy tests were conducted. The components were estimated through a factor analysis of the principal components with varimax rotation. Results: The scale showed reliability. There are differences in empathic orientation among the courses, but not in terms of gender; six components were observed. Conclusions: Nursing students are characterized by having relatively high levels of empathy, which did not differ between genders, and there is a tendency for empathy to increase as the courses progress.