Objective　To discuss the influence of team-based learning (TBL) on autonomous learning ability of undergraduate nursing students. Methods　160 undergraduate nursing students of Grade 2010 were randomly divided into experimental group and control group with 80 students in each group. Students in the experimental group were taught with TBL while students in the control group were taught with lecture-based learning (LBL). The score of autonomous learning ability was measured by scale of self-directed learning ability for nurses. Results　Scores of autonomous learning ability in experimental group (120.33±16.09) was higher than that of control group (110.87±11.89) (P=0.000) and also higher than that of experimental group (100.35±11.15) before the implementation of TBL (P=0.000). The differences were statistically significant. Conclusion　Team-based learning (TBL) can be helpful in improving the autonomous learning ability of undergraduate nursing students.