Abstract: Objective  To investigate the current situation of self-compassion during early clinical experience among first-year undergraduate nursing students, and to explore the way to improve the ability of self-compassion. Methods  Seventy-three first-year undergraduate nursing students were recruited in this study using purpose sampling method. The students were investigated using the Self-Compassion Questionnaire and their diaries during early clinical experience were analyzed using Colaizzi?蒺s analysis method. Results  The average score of self-compassion was（3.43±0.32），which was in moderate to high level. The early clinical experience diaries indicated that the students showed sensitivity to others，interest to explore the meaning of experience，expression of positive feelings and high level of self-regulation，and objective coping with negative issues and emotions. Conclusion  The first-year undergraduate nursing students showed sensitivity and compassion to others and high level of self-acceptance. self-regulation and social adjustment However， their self-compassion ability need to be further improved so as to cope with negative emotions better.

Key words: Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate； Self-compassion； Early clinical experience