Objective To explore undergraduate nursing students′ experience of guiding learning before the internship, and to provide reference for teaching hospitals to improve the teaching model. Methods A semi-structured interview was conducted on 13 nursing students who received guiding learning before clinical practice, then data were transcribed and analyzed using Colaizzi′s phenomenological method to identify themes. Results Three themes were identified:positive experience (relief of stress in relation to internship, inspiration of learning motivation, enhancing self-efficacy, enhancing professional identity, and empathy), factors influencing guiding learning, and the expectations of guiding learning (expectations to teachers, and to oneself). Conclusion Guiding learning before internship bridges school teaching and clinical practice, which is recognized by nursing students, meanwhile it creates higher requirements for the teachers. 