Objective To explore the teaching effects of the case study method in the comprehensive and designing experiments. Methods During the teaching process of the "Nursing Fundamentals", we organized students by groups to select medical samples, prepare and carry out experiment plans, as well as held sessions of experiment results reporting and teachers' comments. Results The experimental teaching plans designed by students covered the knowledge from 8 courses and 16 basic nursing operations. Teachers and students were all considering that the application of the case study method into the comprehensive and designing experiments of the "Nursing Fundamentals" had demonstrated the integration of both the teaching contents and the combination of knowledge, capability and quality. The exploration of students' creative thinking was paid attention to, their researching spirit when learning was also cultivated, the sense of professionalism and the awareness of "people-oriented ' nursing were strengthened, and the communication skills and adaptive capabilities were also trained. The teaching atmosphere was obviously activated, and the teaching effects were obviously improved. Conclusions The application of the case study method into the comprehensive and designing experiments enabled the students to well digest and completely understand knowledge from various subjects, as well as enhanced their capabilities of resolving practical problems, and it is also helpful to cultivate the overall quality of the nursing profession.