Objective To understand the knowledge and practice of patient privacy protection among nursing interns, to analyze the influencing factors, and to provide references for targeted training. Methods A total of 890 nursing interns were surveyed using the Patient Privacy Scale (Student version). Results The knowledge score of patient privacy protection among nursing interns was (116.45±12.84) points, and the practice score was (110.88±13.99) points.Gender, age, attitude towards nursing profession, knowledge of current relevant legal system, and whether or not having observed patient privacy protection by others affected students′ knowledge level of patient privacy protection; attitude towards nursing profession, whether or not having participated in privacy protection training or learned relevant knowledge, knowledge of current relevant legal system, and whether or not having observed patient privacy protection by others affected students′ practice of patient privacy protection （P＜0.05，P＜0.01）. Conclusion Patient privacy protection among nursing interns is at medium or above level.Inadequate patient privacy protection is associated with insufficient training and learning, and poor legal awareness.Nursing administrators in schools and hospitals should address the problem, and provide targeted training and management, to fully enhance nursing interns′ patient privacy awareness and practice.