Objective: This study aimed to explore effects of respiratory rehabilitation nursing on postoperative respiratory function and quality of life of patients with lung cancer (LC) surgery. Methods: A total of 106 LC patients were selected as research objects and randomized into a research group (RG) and a control group (CG), with 53 patients in each group. Patients in the RG received respiratory rehabilitation training nursing mode after surgery, while those in the CG received routine nursing mode. The respiratory function, blood gas index, postoperative sputum excretion and hospital stays of those in the two groups 2 weeks after nursing were recorded and compared. Then the complications, self-care ability, quality of life and nursing satisfaction of those in both groups within one month after surgery were recorded and compared. Results: After nursing, the VCmax, FEV1, FVE1/FVC, PaO2 and SpO(2) in the RG were dramatically higher than those in the CG, while PaCO2 was obviously lower than that in the CG (P < 0.05). The hospital stays and incidence of complications in the RG were dramatically lower than those in the CG, and the daily sputum excretion was obviously higher than that in the CG (P < 0.05). The self-care ability score, quality of life and nursing satisfaction of patients in the RG were dramatically higher than those in the CG (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The application of respiratory rehabilitation training and nursing after LC surgery can effectively improve the respiratory function of patients, reduce the incidence of postoperative complications, and also improve their self-care ability and quality of life, which is worthy of clinical promotion.