Objective To explore the application effect of aesthetic education in teaching of Fundamentals of Nursing. Methods A total of 144 baccalaureate nursing students enrolled in 2021 were selected as a control group, who were taught using routine teaching method, and their counterparts (n=147) enrolled in 2022 were regarded as an intervention group, who were taught utilizing aesthetic education in Fundamentals of Nursing, including theoretical teaching, practical training and practical teaching, integrating knowledge, ability, and literacy. The final theoretical examination scores and skill examination scores were compared between the two groups, and the aesthetic education literacy and professional identity of the intervention group before and after the teaching were assessed. Results The final theoretical examination score of Fundamentals of Nursing in the intervention group was significantly higher than that of the control group （P＜0.05），and the aesthetic education literacy and professional identity of the intervention group after the teaching were significantly higher than those before the teaching (all P<0.05). Conclusion Application of aesthetic education in Fundamentals of Nursing is conducive to improving teaching effect, and enhancing students′ aesthetic education literacy and professional identity.