In this work we show how nonlinear point-coupling models, described by a Lagrangian density that presents only terms up to fourth order in the fermion condensate \((\bar{\psi}\psi)\), are derived from a modified meson-exchange nonlinear Walecka model. The derivation can be done through two distinct methods, namely, the hypermassive meson limit within a functional integral approach, and the mean-field approximation in which equations of state at zero temperature of the nonlinear point-coupling models are directly obtained.