The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-19 (SARS CoV-2 virus) infection and its clinical manifestation as coronavirus disease 2019 present an unparalleled worldwide public health problem. The disease introduces a unique pathophysiology and clinical course that puzzles the efficacy of the currently existing therapeutic approaches. Aim: to assess the effectiveness of self-instructional module on nurses' performance regarding caring of patient with acute respiratory distress during covid-19 outbreaks. Design: A quasi-experimental design was used. Setting: The study was conducted at intensive care units affiliated to El Hussein university hospital. Subjects: A purposive sample of nurses (60) was working in previously mentioned setting. Data collection tools: Nurses' structured self- administered questionnaire and nurses' practices observational checklist. Results: The present study revealed that, less than one quarter of the nurses had got satisfactory level of performance (knowledge & practice) regarding care of patients with acute respiratory distress and acute respiratory distress with corona virus infection and the studied nurses' competent level of practice from (24.3, 21.7 and 20.0%) at pre-implementation compared to (100.0, 100.0 and 98.3%) at post-implementation phase, respectively, with a highly statistically significant differences between pre/post at (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The implementing self-instructional module was inducing highly effective improvements in nurses' level of knowledge and practice regarding caring of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome during Covid-19 outbreaks. Recommendations: Developing training courses about acute respiratory distress syndrome care that should be mandatory for newly employed nurses. Emerging a periodical evaluation, which determining nurses' needs and updating their knowledge and practice.