Objective Constructing an ethical sensitivity training program for nursing students and exploring its preliminary application effects. Methods Based on theoretical analysis, a preliminary draft of an ethical sensitivity training program for nursing students was developed through systematic literature search and content analysis. From July to August 2023, after two rounds of expert inquiries, the final draft of the ethical sensitivity training program for nursing students was formed. Convenience sampling method was used to select nursing undergraduate students in their sophomore and junior years at a nursing college in Hangzhou as the research subjects. The intervention group received ethical sensitivity training for nursing students, while the control group received routine school teaching. Before, after, and one month after the training, a nursing student ethical sensitivity questionnaire was used to compare the differences between the two groups. Results The ethical sensitivity training program for nursing students includes 6 training objectives and 21 specific training contents. In both rounds of inquiry, the expert authority coefficient was higher than 0.8. The generalized estimating equation analysis shows that there is a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) in the total score of ethical sensitivity, respect for individuals, reasonable care, and maintenance of patient privacy between the two groups based on the comparison of main effects and interaction effects. Conclusions The ethical sensitivity training program for nursing students constructed in this study has certain scientificity, reliability, feasibility, and effectiveness, which can provide reference for improving the ethical education mode of nursing colleges.