Objective To develop a preparedness and response training program for nurses to battle COVID-19, to implement it into practice, and to provide reference for training and utilization of nurses in a serious emerging public health issue. Methods Based on the context, input, process, and product (CIPP) model and Kirkpatrick′s evaluation framework （behavior level and results level）, we formulated a "pre-job-and-on-the-job" two-phase bidirectional training program for nursing staff to improve their epidemic preparedness and response ability, then we provided training for 1 318 nurses. Results None of them was infected. Of 812 nurses who worked in the isolation wards for one week and returned the questionnaire, 731(90.02%) were satisfied with the training and 773(95.20%) believed they were competent in their work. Conclusion Pre-job and on-the-job preparedness and response training can train nurses to better prepare for and more effectively respond to serious emerging public health issue, thus to enhance training effect.