Objective To explore the influencing factors of competency enhancement among specialty nurses.Methods Using a descriptive qualitative research design, in-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted among 15 specialty nurses across different specialties.Content analysis was used to identify the themes.Results Two themes and seven sub-themes were extracted.The facilitators were strengthened leadership ability, inner motivation, recognition of their role, and positive effect of hospital culture.The barriers included lack of specialty nurse-led posts, immature training structure and utilization system, and the dilemma of specialty ability transformation.Conclusion Competency of specialty nurses is affected by several factors.Nursing managers should pay attention to utilizing specialty nurses, and formulate strategies based on the influencing factors to enhance their competency.