Objective To evaluate the influence of situation-background-assessment-recommendation (SBAR) communication model on critical thinking ability in intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. Methods In May 2015, a total of 350 ICU nurses compliance with the study inclusion criteria, from a Class Ⅲ Grade A general hospital in He'nan Province, were selected by cluster sampling. The baseline survey of ICU nurses' critical thinking ability was carried out by critical thinking disposition inventory-Chinese version (CTDI-CV). The critical thinking ability of ICU nurse was investigated again after a-year-long implementation of morning shift meeting featured by SBAR communication model, and then, compared with that one year ago. Results After one-year practice of SBAR communication model oriented morning shift meeting, the total score of critical thinking ability increased from (242.39±37.07) to (262.60±35.96), and the difference was statistically significant (t=-7.105, P<0.001). The positive ability of critical thinking increased from 7.5% to 17.2%, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=8.274, P< 0.05). Conclusions The application of morning shift meeting characterized by SBAR communication model can contribute to the elevation of ICU nursing staff's critical thinking ability.