Objective To summarize the experiences of using project management approach in hospital nursing workforce response to population-wide specimen collection during a COVID-19 outbreak involving the Delta variant. Methods Project management approach was utilized in nursing workforce allocation for population-wide specimen collection for COVID-19 testing, including for-ming a nursing project team, formulating emergency response rosters, formulating training plan to enhance nurses′ professional quality, implementing dual-track working mode, and strengthening process control. Allocation of nursing workforce, quality of specimen collection and human resource management were evaluated after the implementation of project management. Results During 3-12 August 2021, 23 batches involving 680 nurses were allocated at 108 specimen collection sites, and more than 300,000 samples were collected.There was no cross-infection at the specimen collection sites and no occupational exposure among nurses.Under the dual-track working mode, quality of nursing workforce management did not decline significantly, and the management quality reached the standard. Conclusion Project management is conducive to efficient allocation of nursing workforce and smooth running of dual-track working mode, which can provide reference for emergency response management in the future.