Objective:To explore the work experience of nurses in Thoracic Surgery Department during independent working, so as to provide a reference for organizational management, education and training.Methods:From September 2020 to July 2021, 27 Thoracic Surgery Department nurses of 3 hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou were selected for the in-depth interview. Colaizzi 7-step analysis was used for data analysis.Results:A total of 4 themes were extracted, namely stress, role adaptation, support sources, expectations for management and training. The stress theme included anxiety and fears about new phases of work, stress of communication and other stresses. The theme of role adaptation involved improving theoretical and practical abilities, being affirmed by patients, trusted by colleagues, and becoming mature in mind. The theme of support sources consisted of team support and family support. The theme of expectations for management and training composed of strengthening organizational support and flexible education and training before independent working.Conclusions:Negative emotions such as tension and anxiety are common in Thoracic Surgery Department nurses in the early stage of independent working. Thoracic Surgery Department nurses experience the satisfaction of self-realization after adapting to their role. Team and family support play an important role during the role transition. In the future, organizational management should be strengthened, education and training should be diversified, and a core competence evaluation system for Thoracic Surgery Department nurses should be established to promote the smooth transition of Thoracic Surgery Department nurses to work independently.