Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of a nurse presence program on suicide prevention for elders with chronic disease. Method: The subjects were recruited from two different elderly institutions located in D city and K province, Korea. Twenty subjects in the control group received no intervention and nineteen subjects in the experimental group received a nurse presence program. Result: There were more significant decreases in suicide ideation, and the cortisol level and increases in life satisfaction in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: According to the above results, a nurse presence program for elders with a chronic disease decreased stressful events like suicide ideation and increased self esteem through therapeutic interaction. These findings suggest that this program can be used as an efficient independent nursing intervention for elders in a critical situation.