Back ground: Navigating the challenges of nursing education involves understanding the multifaceted factors that influence students' experiences and outcomes. The study aimed to explore the linkage relationship between stress, professional perception, and academic achievement among nursing students in Sana'a city, Yemen. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed to achieve the aim. Convenience sample was used to include 108 students. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that covered personal characteristics, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), a professional perception questionnaire, and academic achievement records. Results: the study revealed that that 21.3% of students experienced mild stress, 32.4% moderate stress, and 46.3% severe stress. Regarding professional perception, 58.4% of students had a negative view of nursing, 24.1% had an average view, and 17.5% had a positive view. GPA distribution showed 44.5% of students had a GPA in the 1-2 range, 41.6% had a GPA of 3, and 13.9% had a GPA in the 4-5 range. Significant correlations were found between stress levels and GPA (R = -0.78, P = 0.0003), perception of nursing and GPA (R = 0.67, P = 0.006), academic level and GPA (R = 0.48, P = 0.02), and type of university and GPA (R = 0.63, P = 0.0001). Conclusion& recommendations: The findings highlight high stress levels and negative perceptions of the nursing profession among students, significantly impacting academic performance. Interventions to manage stress and improve professional perception are essential for enhancing academic outcomes and student retention in nursing programs.