Objective To investigate the teaching effects of flipped class model on the Surgery Intensive Care Unit (SICU) nurses' ability of autonomic learning. Methods From July to December 2015, a total of 38 nurses who worked in SICU of Zhejiang Cancer Hospital were selected as the research objects by convenience sampling method. The nurses were trained in postoperative pain management knowledge by flipped class model, and were evaluated before and after the training by rating scale of self-directed learning competence for nurses. Results The total score of rating scale of self-directed learning competence for nurses, self motivation belief, task analysis, self monitoring and regulation, self evaluation were (128.26±18.69), (54.50±7.65), (22.05±3.66), (37.57±5.82) and (14.13±2.67) after the training, which all improved than (108.89±15.71), (47.18±6.61), (18.03±3.33), (31.37±5.24) and (12.32±2.14) respectively before training. The differences were statistically significant (t=-4.889, -4.460, -5.013, -4.883, -3.266; P<0.05). Conclusions Flipped class teaching model improves nurses' autonomous learning ability comprehensively and provide a new teaching mode for nurses' training.