Objective To explore the effects of the heuristic teaching of “alerting to original aspiration” in the curriculum reform of Introduction of Nursing. Methods The teaching reform of the Introduction of Nursing course with the theme of “alerting to original aspiration” was carried out among 79 nursing freshmen. The self-developed nursing professional identity survey questionnaire and group focus interview method were used to evaluate students’ professional identity and teaching experience of students. Results After teaching,students’ total scores of professional identification and professional cognition,professional emotion,professional value,and professional future dimension scores were higher than those before teaching（P<0.05）. The group focus interview showed that the teaching on the theme of “alerting to original aspiration” helped to enhance the nursing freshmen’s sense of identity with the nursing profession,and strengthened their professional beliefs and professional pride. Conclusion The heuristic teaching with the theme of “alerting to original aspiration” helps to cultivate the professional identity and professional feelings of nursing freshmen.