Objective To explore the effect of sub-specialty teaching in nursing internship in the department of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery. Methods Thirty-eight nursing interns were chronologically divided into two groups, with 19 in each group.The control group was given conventional teaching, while the observation group received 6-week sub-specialty teaching which nursing interns practiced in the departments of otology, rhinology, and laryngology respectively, with two weeks in each department. Effects were evaluated immediately after six weeks teaching. Results The observation group had significantly higher scores of academic and practical performance, comprehensive quality and internship experience (teaching quality and teaching methods) compared with the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion Sub-specialty teaching can improve effect of nursing internship in the department of otolaryngology/head and neck surgery, and also enhance nursing interns′internship experience.