Objective:To construct the evaluation index system of core competence for NICU nurses, and to provide basis for training and assessment.Methods:The first draft of the core competence model and evaluation index system for nurses in the NICU was constructed by literature review, and group discussions. The Delphi method was used to conduct 2 rounds of consultation with 19 experts from 8 provinces and cities, and the weight of indexes at all levels was determined by the Delphi method and Precedence Chart method.Results:The constructed evaluation index system for the core competence of nurses in the NICU included 5 first-level indicators, 11 second-level indicators, and 34 third-level indicators. In the two rounds of expert consultation, the experts′ positive coefficients were all 100%, the authority coefficients were 0.934 and 0.945, and the Kendall′s rank-order correlation coefficients of all levels of indicators were 0.255-0.309, 0.202-0.297, all P<0.01. Conclusions:The evaluation index system for NICU nurses is scientific, reliable and feasible, which can be used in clinical nursing.