Objective To explore the application effect of critical literature reading based on reporting guidelines of medical research in cultivating scientific research ability of clinical nurses. Methods A total of 39 nursing scientific research backbones were selected, then a nursing scientific research literature reading group was set up, and the critical literature reading activities based on the reporting guidelines of medical research were conducted once a month for 10 months. The scores of the participants′ scientific research ability and professio-nal identity before and after the training were compared. Results After the training, the participants′ scores of scientific research ability and professional identity were significantly higher than those before the training (P＜0.01 for all). Conclusion Implemen-ting critical literature reading activities based on reporting guidelines of medical research for clinical nurses, can enhance the nurses′ scientific research ability, and improve their professional identity.