Abstract: Objective: To explore the influence of CDIO teaching mode on critical thinking ability and clinical communication ability of nursing students in their medical nursing clinical practice. Methods: Two classes of nursing students were assigned to experimental group (n=30) and control group (n=30). Traditional teaching method and CDIO teaching method were used in the control group and the experimental group respectively. Students' performance in their critical thinking ability and clinical communication ability were compared before and after clinical practice. Results: The total score of critical thinking ability and the scores of searching for truth, open mind, systematization ability, critical thinking, seeking knowledge and cognitive maturity of nursing students in the experimental group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). The total score of clinical communication ability and the scores of establishing harmonious relationship, confirming patients' problem, joint participation and delivering effective information of nursing students in the experimental group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: CDIO teaching mode can improve critical thinking ability and clinical communication ability of nursing students.