Objective To explore the effect of mind mapping combined with Mini-CEX in teaching physical assessment skills in nur-sing interns in the thoracic surgery department.Methods A convenience sample of 59 college nursing students during their internship practice in the department of thoracic surgery were assigned to two groups chronologically.The control group (n=30) received usual clinical mentoring, while their counterparts in the observation group (n=29) utilized mind mapping and Mini-CEX in clinical teaching. The effect was evaluated after 6 consecutive weeks of teaching.Results The observation group had significantly higher scores in critical thinking ability, physical assessment ability, and self-evaluation of learning outcomes than the control group （all P＜0.05）.Conclusion Combination use of mind mapping and Mini-CEX in teaching physical assessment skills in the thoracic surgery department, can cultivate nursing interns′ critical thinking ability and enhance teaching effect.