The study investigated the psychological experiences of 20 Chinese critical care nurses during their specialty training through 15 individual interviews and one focus group. The research identified three categories of psychological experiences: positive experiences included perceived improvement in theoretical knowledge, improved clinical thinking, expanded career plans, and a comfortable humanistic environment. Negative experiences were associated with high psychological stress from evaluations, leadership expectations and competition among colleagues, as well as a mismatch between training content and nurses' personal needs. Nurses' mixed experiences included overcrowded training sites with good equipment, incomplete investment of effort while high satisfaction with their own performance, and non-proactive participation without resistance. The study found that specialized training helps nurses perceive improved professional competence and career prospects, but is accompanied by unmet individual needs and psychological stress. Recommendations include individualized curriculum, increased clinical practice opportunities, and targeted psychological support to improve training effectiveness.