Objective To explore the effect of workshop-based scientific research ability training program for nurses working in a tertiary hospital. Methods A workshop-based scientific research ability training system (40 contents that cover 27 hours; the eligible teachers include clinical nursing experts, medical doctors, statisticians, nursing master degree candidates, and nursing educators; and there are a variety of ways for evaluation) for nurses working in tertiary hospitals were developed through literature review. Then a training program based on the training system was carried out from November 2017 to June 2018 in a tertiary hospital of Hubei province involving 50 clinical nurses. The training effects were evaluated by using the Nursing Research Capacity of Self-Evaluation Questionnaire and by counting up the scientific research and innovation outcomes in the nurses. Results After training, the nurses scored significantly higher in nursing research capacity overall measurement than before the training（P<0.01）; the numbers of scientific publications and patents, services and skills newly launched, and grant outran those counterparts before the training. Conclusion The workshop-based scientific research ability training system is practical. When applied in training of clinical nurses, it is conducive to improving the scientific research and innovation ability of nurses.