Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the effect of online teaching following the Presentation-Assimilation-Discussion (PAD) format in Fundamental Nursing during COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: The study period is from February to May 2020, and the sampling method is cluster sampling. A total of 102 nursing students in class 2019 with a study focus on midwifery participated in the study. During the COVID-19 epidemic, the online teaching was designed, it adopted the PAD format as a teaching methodology. To evaluate the learning effect among nursing students, information on students' independent learning ability, satisfaction were collected along with a summary of the students' learning experience through interviews. Results: The mean overall subject score among 102 nursing students was (83.22±2.76). After 8 weeks of online learning, students' self-learning ability was significantly improved, and the overall satisfaction of online teaching was high among nursing students. The result of qualitative interview was consistent with the results of quantitative survey. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 epidemic, the online teaching of "Fundamental Nursing" can meet the learning needs of nursing students with highly acceptable academic performance. The online teaching proved that it is helpful in improving students' self-learning ability and satisfaction among nursing students. It provides references for selection of alternative teaching method in carrying out teaching and learning activities in cases of major emergencies in the future.

Key words: the COVID-19 epiaemic; online teaching; Presentation-Assimilation-Discussion