Objective To study the function of emotional capital theory in activating the nursing human resources. Methods We used emotional capital theory together with the use of incentives and humane management of emotional exchange to meet the individual demands of nurses, in order to accumulate good for the intrinsic emotional capital of the hospital. At the same time, attention was paid to detail services and vigorously carried out the moving services to accumulate external emotional capital for the hospital. Results After the implementation of emotional capital management, the satisfaction rate of the nurse improved 3.6% than before, and the satisfaction rate of the patients increased from 94.2% to 98.4%.In addition,the nursing complaints redueed from six down to two, the written recognition received from patients increased from 3 to 8, the quality of the care integrated service score increased from 93.3 points to 97.8 points on average, and the nursing errors reduced from 16 to 8. Condusions Use of emotional capital management theory was conducive to activate the nursing human resources, improve the quality of the nursing service and the efficiency of management.