Objective To explore the current status and the influencing factors of core competence of nurses in the context of outpatient medical institutions dispatched by military hospitals. Methods A survey was conducted on 140 nurses from 8 dispatched outpatient medical institutions in Beijing using a demographic data questionnaire, the Core Competence Scale for Chinese Registered Nurse and the General Self-Efficacy Scale. Results The total score of core competence of nurses was (152.66±42.86), with the average scores of the ethical and legal practice items being the highest, and the average scores of critical thinking and research items being the lowest. The total score of self-efficacy was (23.32±5.21), which was lower than the average level. Correlation analysis indicated that the highest educational level, professional title, family support, and passion level were positively correlated with nurses’ core competency scores(P＜0.05), while self-efficacy was negatively correlated with the scores (P＜0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the highest educational level (β=0.23),family support(β=0.34), passion level(β=0.22)and self-efficacy(β=-0.15) were important factors affecting core competence(P<0.05). Conclusions The core competence of nurses from the dispatched outpatient medical institutions is at a medium level and further improvement is needed, especially in the aspects of critical thinking, scientific research and clinical nursing. Management departments should establish standardized training and incentive mechanisms, improve the family support system, enhance the educational level of nurses and cultivate their passion for the nursing profession to improve the core competence.