Objective To explore the effect of strength use on subjective well-being and the mediating role of basic psychological need satisfaction in this relationship. Methods Totally, 475 nurses in Tianmen，Wuhan，Xiantao and Qianjiang of Hubei province completed the Strength Use Scale(SU), Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction Scale(BPNS)，Satisfaction With Life Scale （SWLS），the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANAS). Results The mean score of subjective well-being, satisfaction with life，positive affection, negative affection, strength use and basic psychological need satisfaction was 5.09±1.97, 4.13±1.22, 3.40±0.64, 2.44±0.22, 4.67±1.05 and 4.65±0.68 respectively. Strength use was positively correlated with subjective well-being and basic psychological need satisfaction (P<0.01 for both). Basic psychological need satisfaction was positively correlated with subjective well-being (P<0.01). Regression analysis indicated that the mediating effect of basic psychological need satisfaction between strength use and subjective well-being was significant, and accounted for 41.61% of the total effect. Conclusion Nurses′subjective well-being was at medium level. Nurses can make the most of strength use, or meet the basic psychological needs of themselves, so as to improve their subjective well-being.