The aim of this descriptive study was to explore the effect of optimism at the preoperative anxiety and coping of neurosurgery patients. The study was conducted in the university hospital neurosurgery clinic with 120 patients. Data were gathered using an Interview Form, State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I and STAI-II), Ways of Coping Questionnaire and Life Orientation Test (LOT). The analysis of the data was calculated on the computer in the terms of the mean, standard deviation, percentage, and corelation analysis with SPSS. The results showed that preoperative neurosurgery patients were experienced moderate high level anxiety and patients that scoring high on the LOT experienced less anxiety. There was positive relationship (r=0.31, p<0.05) optimism and seeking social support coping. A negative correlation (r=- 0.32, p<0.05) was found between optimism and submissive coping. This study showed that a relationship between optimism and better physical and mental health, as well as optimism and better coping skills at the preoperative time.