Objective:To explore the application effects of a teaching for understanding (TfU) model based on outcome-based education (OBE) in clinical nursing internship in dermatology.Methods:We assigned 34 nursing interns at the department of dermatology of a grade A tertiary hospital in Chengdu in 2021 to observation group to receive instruction using an OBE-based TfU model and another 34 nursing interns in 2022 to control group to be taught using a traditional teaching model. The two groups were compared for theoretical and practical assessment scores, core competencies, clinical communication, and satisfaction with teaching. SPSS 26.0 was used to perform the t-test and chi-square test. Results:The observation group had significantly higher scores than the control group for theoretical assessment [(90.63±2.84) vs. (85.84±4.50)] and practical assessment [(93.15±1.67) vs. (91.12±2.71)]; core competencies overall [(154.38±8.05) vs. (150.18±6.96)] and lifelong learning [(20.18±1.90) vs. (18.85±1.85)], general clinical skills [(23.06±3.30) vs. (18.85±1.85)], and critical thinking and reasoning ability [(11.68±1.47) vs. (10.62±1.41)]; and communication abilities overall [(90.94±5.36) vs. (84.50±5.79)] and harmonious relationship establishment [(20.21±1.86) vs. (18.76±1.92)], patient problem confirmation [(16.91±1.69) vs. (15.26±2.09)], keen listening [(17.35±1.32) vs. (15.44±2.06)], and effective information transmission [(8.91±1.60) vs. (7.85±1.73)] compared with the control group (all P<0.05). The score of satisfaction with teaching of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group [(94.12±4.99) vs. (90.53±7.38), P<0.05). Conclusions:The TfU model based on OBE can effectively improve nursing students' theoretical and practical assessment scores, core competencies, communication skills, and satisfaction with internship teaching, which is conducive to their all-round development and professional practice. In addition, this study provides innovative ideas and reform directions for clinical nursing practice teaching.