Objective　To investigate the current status of critical thinking ability and commu-nication ability of nursing students

therefore providing reference for teaching reform. Methods　The Critical Thinking Scale translated and revised by Pro. Peng MeiZi of Hong Kong Polytechnic University

and Supportive Communication Scale (SCS) edited by Whetten and his colleague were used to investi-gate nursing students' levels of critical thinking and communication ability among 176 selected nursing students in our college

with method of Random Cluster Sampling. Descriptive analysis

single sample t-test

and two independent sample t-test were applied to the collected data with SPSS l7.0. Results　①The average score of critical thinking for the investigated college nursing students was (264.54±29.94). 72.73% of them got 210~280 points

in which three items: cognitive maturity (t=4.695

P=0.000)

open mind (t=4.016

P=0.000)

and intellectual curiosity (t=2.973

P=0.003) were greater than 40 points. And the differences were statistically significant; compared to different individual character-istics

being a student cadre (t=3.494

P=0.001) or not is of statistical significance. ②The total average score of communication ability (t=3.219

P=0.002) for college nursing students，as well as the score of providing effective negative feedback (t=6.790

P=0.000) and supportive communication (t=4.267

P=0.000) were significantly higher than median 3.00. And the differences were statistically significant. Conclusion　In order to improve the critical thinking ability and interpersonal communication ability of nursing students

and educate the nursing students to adapt to society and complicated clinical nursing environment

it is necessary to reform the curriculum setting

curriculum design and teaching method.