Objective To investigate the current situation of nursing interruptions in intensive care unit （ICU）, and to explore the relationship between nursing interruptions in ICU and nurses′ psychological load. Methods A total of 180 nurses working in the ICUs of a hospital were investigated by using a self-made ICU nursing interruption event questionnaire, a general information questionnaire and the NASA Task Load Index （NASA-TLX）. Results The frequency of nursing interruptions for the period of 6:00-20:00 in ICU was 9.5 counts/h; other nurses were the main sources of interruption events; nursing records were the most common current tasks of ICU nurses when interruption events occured, and the interruption tasks were mainly related to patient affairs. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the frequency of nursing interruption events was positively correlated with nurses′ psychological load （r=0.531,P＜0.01）. Conclusion The interruption of nursing work in ICU occurs frequently, and it has a negative impact on nurses′ psychological load. Therefore, nursing managers need to systematically and deeply analyze and evaluate the risk factors before, during and after the interruption events, so as to better avoid risks, improve nursing quality and promote nurses′ physical and mental health.