Objective To develop a virtual simulation teaching project of urinary catheterization, to improve the quality of basic nursing skills lab teaching and to save the laboratory materials.Methods With the aid of computer information technology, we developed a virtual simulation teaching project about urinary catheterization, and then through exploring the combination of "online and offline" teaching mode, we put the virtual simulation project of urinary catheterization into basic nursing skills lab teaching for the nursing undergraduates enrolled in 2016.Results Compared with the nursing undergraduates enrolled in 2015 and subjected to routine teaching, the performance of urinary catheterization in undergraduates enrolled in 2016 was significantly improved (P＜0.05), and the expenditure of laboratory consumables was significantly decreased (P＜0.01).Conclusion The virtual simulation project of urinary catheterization provides a practical and environmental teaching tool for nursing lab teaching, and effectively promotes the reform and innovation of nursing teaching mode.