This paper introduced the application and effects of problem-based learning（PBL） in surgical nursing. The nursing care of breast cancer patients was selected as the focus to apply PBL for 4 academic hours in 96 nursing students in Grade 2010. The application of PBL made the students learn from passively to actively，broadened the students’ knowledge scope，improved the students’ self-directed learning and abilities to analyze and solve problems，promoted the students’ critical thinking，induction ability， communication skills and teamwork spirit，as well as improved the teaching outcomes in surgical nursing.