Objective To understand the difficulties faced by nursing managers during the practice of evidence-based nursing, and to provide basis for smooth rollout of evidence-based nursing practice in clinical settings. Methods Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 12 nursing managers was conducted .Colaizzi′s 7-step analytical method was used to analyze interview data and refine topics. Results In the process of evidence-based nursing practice, nursing managers are confronted with many difficulties, including low level of evidence-based nursing knowledge, great resistance to the transformation of traditional nursing model, heavy psychological pressures, and lack of relevant support. Conclusion Health management departments, and hospital managers should strengthen po-licy support for evidence-based clinical nursing practice, ramp up evidence-based knowledge training, help nursing managers actively seek effective ways to relieve pressure and overcome difficulties, in an effort to smoothly push forward evidence-based nursing practice in clinical settings.