Background: Depression is a mental health problem that can cause a decrease in one’s productivity, falling off cognitive and psychomotor ability, lack of initiative, and may lead to suicidal thoughts or attempts. The World Federation for Mental Health (WMH) in 2012 reported an average of one in 20 people who had episodes of depression that began at a young age. In Indonesia in 2017 27.3% of nursing students were found to have moderate to severe depression. Several studies have shown that the incidence rate of depression in nursing students is higher compared to other students in other major. Objectives: This study aimed to identify factors that contributes to the incidence of depression in nursing students from various literature sources. Methods: The method used was systematic literature review. Databases used were PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar, EBSCO using some keywords such as influence factors, depression, nursing students, depression factors and nursing students. Articles were appraised using the Critical Appraisal Tools from Joanna Briggs Institute. PRISMA flow diagram was used for the article selection process and simplified approach was used to analyse the data. Results: Six themes and 20 sub themes emerged from this study. Factors that contributed to depression in nursing students are personal, biological, psychological, family, social and academic. Recommendations: Future research is expected to be conducted to investigate how these factors can influence depression in nursing students.