Abstract: The objective of this research is to determine the impact of years of work experience and educational level on the self-assessment of competence (condition assessment, planning, and implementation) and the self-esteem of nurses at the Surgery Clinic, Clinical Hospital Center Split. Participants and methodology: This prospective cohort study included 144 participants, nurses/technicians employed at the Surgery Clinic, Clinical Hospital Center Split, of which 15 men (10.42%) and 129 women (89.58%), with an average age of 39.9 years (range 20-62, SD = 10.98). The average work experience at the Surgery Clinic is 18.60. (SD=11.69). Most respondents (104/72.22%) have finished nursing school, and 40 respondents (27.78%) has Bachelor of Science in nursing/or Master's of Science in nursing (X2 = 111.50; P <0.001). Only 50 (34.97%) of the respondents have recently participated at Continuing Nursing Education (X2 = 12.93; P <0.001). Data were collected using survey questionnaires: Sociodemographic Characteristics of Examiners and Self-Evaluation - Check List, Rosenberg self-esteem scale" (Rosenberg, 1965) by which the data for self-reported degree of self-respect were collected and the "Medical-Surgical Nursing Skills List" questionnaire (Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing and Kwantlen University College, 2008), by which the data for nurses' self-reported competence in performing medically surgical clinical skills were collected. Results: Nurses' self-esteem is statistically significantly different depending on the years of work experience (P<0.05) at the Surgery Clinic and clinical field (P<0.05) but not given the level of formal education (P>0.05). Highest self-esteem is present in nurses with 21-30 years of work experience and lowest in nurses with > 41 years of work experience. The highest level of self-respect has Orthopedic nurses, and the lowest level of self-respect nurses at Thoracic surgery unit, Surgical intensive care unit (SICU) as well as emergency care unit. Surgical nurses significantly differ at measuring vital sign skills depending on the years of work experience (P<0.001) as well as the clinical field (P<0.05). The lowest self-assessment of those skills have had nurses with 1 - 10 years of work experience as well as the operating room nurse. There are statistically significant differences in self-assessed abilities of health care planning depending on the years of work experience (P<0.05), education level (P<0,001) as well as the clinical field (P<0.001). Self-assessed as the least competent are nurses with 41 years of work experience (before retirement), nurses after completed nursing school (basic training), as well as the operating and emergency room nurses. There are statistically significant differences in the implementation of medically surgical clinical skills among nurses depending on the years of work experience (P<0.05). The highest self-assessment of the implementation of the given skills have nurses with 11 - 20 years of work experience. The difference in implementation concerning the level of education was not identified as well as concerning the field of clinical improvement. Conclusion: For the sense of self-esteem and assessment of personal competence in surgical practice contribute most: length of clinical experience, specialization in clinical field, and work in clinical wards where the nurse has greater decision-making autonomy, more than formal education (primary or higher). This conclusion applies to all areas of nursing competency except health care planning where self-assessment of skill differs with professional qualifications.