Abstract: Objective: To explore the training needs among nursing department directors in the secondary hospitals, in order to make a guidance for designing training courses for them. Methods: We recruited 457 nursing department directors from 10 provinces by using convenience sampling method. We used self-designed questionnaires to investigate the training needs about time, content, and types. Results: The first five contents were performance appraisal and management, hospital grade assessment and the practice of constant improvement of nursing quality management, patient safety management,high quality nursing service and standardization management, and the hierarchical use of nurses. The preferred training time was from Monday to Friday. The training types for performance appraisal and management, hospital grade assessment and the practice of constant improvement of nursing quality manageme, high quality nursing service and standardization management, the hierarchical use of nurses were giving lessons and visiting hospitals. The training types for practice of constant improvement of nursing quality management, patient safety management were giving lessons and case analysis.Conclusion: The training for nursing department directors in the secondary hospitals should be held on working days and take different training types according to their needs.