Objective To develop a rehabilitation nursing program for patients after rotator cuff repair under arthroscopy and evaluate its implementation effects, and to promote the recovery of shoulder joint function in patients.Methods Patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were divided into a control group (46 cases) and an observation group (46 cases) according to the time of hospital admission.The control group received routine rehabilitation nursing, while the observation group was subjected to a rehabilitation nursing program on this basis.Both groups were intervened until 16 weeks after surgery, and the shoulder joint function, self-care ability, anxiety, quality of life scores, and incidence of postoperative complications (joint stiffness, rotator cuff retear) at different time points before and after intervention were compared.Results At 6, 12, and 16 weeks after surgery, the shoulder joint function scores, self-care ability, anxiety, and quality of life of the observation group were significantly better than those of the control group (all P＜0.05); the comparison of the above indicators between the two groups showed that the group effect, time effect, and interaction effect were statistically significant (all P＜0.05); only the control group had 2 cases of joint stiffness after surgery, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (all P＞0.05).Conclusion The practice of rehabilitation nursing program after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair can improve patients′ shoulder joint function, self-care ability and quality of life, reduce pain and psychological anxiety, and promote early recovery of patients.