Abstract: Objective: To offer an elective course in Nursing Innovation Practice at a university and explore its effect on students' ability of innovation. Methods: Totally, 64 undergraduate nursing students from 5-year program enrolled in 2017 was asked to choose Nursing Innovation Practice course voluntarily. Those voluntary students were divided into different groups and required to take a online questionnaire survey after the 12-hours course ended. Results: Overall, 98.4% students were willing to innovate in future work and study, and 98.4% students were satisfied with the assessment methods; 95.3% students thought that it was necessary to open this course; 95.3% students were interested in the content of this course; 95.3% students were satisfied with teaching methods; and 92.2% students thought it was important for the nursing work. Furthermore, three innovations by students have been recognized by experts in the Chinese National Patent Office. Conclusion: The elective course could reform the nursing practice teaching. The course can not only cultivate students' innovation spirit and ability, but also can improve students' cooperation ability.

Key words: university; innovation; elective course of practice