Objective To formulate and implement a standard operating procedure (SOP) for intraoperative care in kidney transplantation from relatives, and to improve intraoperative care efficiency. Methods A total of 110 patients who received kidney transplants from their relatives were divided chronologically into a control group (n=50) and an observation group (n=60). The control group received conventional intraoperative care, while the observation group were subjected to intraoperative care SOP. Nursing efficiency, incidence of intraoperative hypothermia in patients, core competency of operating room nurses, and surgeons′ satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Results The preoperative preparation time for donors and recipients, positioning time, and total surgical duration were significantly shorter in the observation group than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The cold ischemia time for recipients and the incidence of intraoperative hypothermia were significantly lower in the observation group (both P<0.05). Surgeons′ satisfaction was significantly higher in the observation group, and nurses′ core competency was significantly improved after SOP implementation (both P<0.05). Conclusion The implementation of a intraoperative care SOP in kidney transplantation from relatives empowers nurses to deliver standard and normative care, thus to improve intraoperative nursing efficiency.