Objective To explore the effects of MiniQuest teaching model applied in Surgical Nursing.Methods From September to December 2018,four classes of nursing students of grade 2017 in a higher vocational college were selected randomly. Students were randomly divided into the experimental group（n=86） and the control group（n=90）. The MiniQuest teaching model was used in the experimental group,which included three modules：situation,task,and achievement. Students could learn by themselves,discuss,and show their achievements. Students in the control group received traditional teaching which was mainly the classroom teaching. The teaching effects of the two groups were compared by examination scores and the scores of Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory-Chinese Version（CTDI-CV）.Results After the course,the examination scores and CTDI-CV scores of the nursing students in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group with significant differences（P<0.05）.Conclusion The MiniQuest teaching model used in Surgical Nursing can meet the individualized learning needs of nursing students in the higher vocational colleges. It can help cultivate their critical thinking and improve the teaching quality.