Objective　To analyze the reform of improving the teaching effects of nursing college students' practical training. Methods　Cluster sampling method was used to select 396 nursing college students in a higher nursing school as the research objects

with 197 in experimental group and 199 in control group. Self-directed learning was adopted in practical teaching of surgical nursing in the students in experimental group

and traditional surgery teaching was adopted in control group. Self-rating scale of self-directed learning (SRSSDL) was used every 3 months during the period. The students' self-directed learning ability was measured dynamically

and the scores of practical examination and course satisfaction were compared between the two groups. The data were statistically analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance and independent sample t-test using SPSS 17.0. Results　The scores of repeated measurement of SRSSDL in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group (F=16.237

P=0.016). Except for the common surgical instruments module (P=0.056)

the scores of practical training examination in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group

and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.0１ for the operating room nursing module

P=0.005 for the wound nursing module

P＜0.0１ for the enterostomy nursing module). The students' satisfaction with the overall curriculum in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group. Conclusion　Self-directed learning in the teaching of nursing practice can effectively enhance comprehensive ability and quality of students based on self-directed learning ability

and improve the teaching effect of practical training courses.