Objective To explore the effects of day nursing care in community on improving the social functions of patients with chronic schizophrenia. Methods The random, control, and open clinical trial design was adopted. Eighty patients with chronic schizophrenia were selected and randomly divided into the intervention group (n=40) and the control group (n=40). Patients of the intervention group received day nursing care in community for 12 months and patients of the control group received routine follow-up care. Patients of two groups were evaluated by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Nursing Observation Rating Scale (NORS), and Social Disability Screening Schedule (SDSS) before intervention and 6 months and 12 months after intervention. Results After day care nursing was conducted for 6 and 12 months, the total score of NORS of the intervention group was significantly higher than that of the control group and the total score of BPRS of the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the total score of SDSS and scores of eight factors other than the marriage function and family activities of the intervention group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The rehabilitation and social function improvement of the intervention group were much better than those of the control group. Conclusion Day nursing care in community for patients with chronic schizophrenia can efficiently improve the social adaptability and communication ability of patients and elevate their social function.