This study was conducted to test the effect of a self regulation education program as a nursing intervention with chronically ill patients. A quasi experimental research (non equivalent control group pretest-posttest design) was used in this study. The subjects were 30 non insulin dependent diabetic patients (experimental group : 14 patients, control group : 16 patients). The study was carried out from May, 1995 to February, 1996. Data were collected before the education program, immediately after & 2 months later and were analyzed with repeated measure ANCOVA, paired t - test and t-test. The results are as follows : 1. There was a significant difference in self efficacy between the two groups(F=27.61, P=0.000). There was a significant difference according to experimental stages(F=33.09, P=0.000) and interaction between education and experimental stages(F=30.21, P=0.000). 2. There was a significant difference in self care behavior between the two groups (F=27.05, P=0. 000). There was a significant difference according to experimental stages(F=31.14, P=0.000) and interaction between education and experimental stages(F=28.88, P=0.000). 3. There was a significant difference in glycemic control between before the education program and 2 months later in the experimental group (t=2.88, P=0.013). But there was no significant difference between before the education program and 2 months later in the control group. These results suggest that a self regulation education program is effective in promoting & maintaining self care behavior and in improving glycemic control. Thus this program can be recommended as an effective nursing intervention for chronically ill patients including diabetic patients.