Abstract: Objective: To investigate the status of nurses' core competency and career management, and to analyze their relationship. Methods: A total of 459 nurses were recruited from 4 tertiary Grade A hospitals. They were investigated with the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurse scale and the career management scale. Results: The total score of core competency was (154.88±32.00), and the total score of career management was (48.47±6.42). They were both at the middle level. Nurses' career management was positively correlated with their core competency (P<0.01). After controlling demographic variables, career goals and continue learning could positively predict the score of core competency.Conclusion: Strengthening career management is an effective way to promote the core competency of new nurses. Nurse managers and nurses themselves should take measures to strengthen their career management, so as to enhance their core competency and achieve a win-win situation for new nurses and the hospital.