Purpose: This study was conducted to test the impact of simulation-based education program for emergency airway management on self-efficacy and clinical performance ability. Methods: A quasi-experimental non-equivalent control group pre-post test design was used. A total of 60 nurses, 30 nurses assigned to the simulation-based education group and 30 nurses to a traditional lecture group. The treatment group received a lecture, small group workshop and team simulation whereas the comparison group received lectures. Results: The participants in the simulation-based education group reported significantly higher self-efficacy of emergency airway management compared to participants in the lecture only group (t=5.985, p<.001). The simulation-based education group showed significantly higher clinical performance ability of emergency airway management compared with the lecture group (t=5.532, p<.001). Conclusion: Simulation-based education was verified to be an effective teaching method to improve the self-efficacy, clinical performance skills of nurses in the learning of emergency airway management.