Objective To explore the application effects of clinical teaching model based on core competence in nursing interns. Methods From August 2015 to July 2017, we selected 80 nursing interns at a hospital as subjects by purposive sampling. Nursing interns from August 2015 to July 2016 were set in control group (n=38) ; another from August 2016 to July 2017 were set in observation group (n=42) . Nursing students of control group received routine practice teaching model. Nursing students of observation group were treated with the clinical teaching model based on core competence. All of the nursing students were evaluated with the competency inventory for nursing students (CINS) and clinical practice satisfaction scale of nursing intern before and at the end of internship. Results At the end of internship, the total score of CINS and dimension scores in clinical biomedical science, general clinical skills, critical thinking inferential capability, morality/responsibility and lifelong learning of nursing students in observation group were higher than those in control group with statistical differences (P<0.01) . At the end of internship, the scores of teaching content, practice effects, practice management, teaching diathesis and practice environment in clinical practice satisfaction scale of nursing intern of nursing students in observation group were higher than those in control group with statistical differences (P<0.01) . Conclusions The application of teaching model based on core competence in clinical nursing teaching can effectively improve nursing students' core competence and satisfaction. Key words: Students, nursing; Clinical clerkship; Core competence; Teaching model