This study aimed to explore the experiences of barriers and facilitators to the implementation of narrative nursing by junior nurses. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from October 2023 to February 2024. Data were thematically analyzed using the Colaizzi seven-step method. Five barriers and 3 facilitators to the implementation of narrative nursing by junior nurses emerged in the study. Relevant barriers include lack of practical skills related to narrative nursing, neglect of the concept of humanistic care, negative events, high workload for junior nurses, restricted implementation environment. The facilitators contain patients’ and family members’ trust, training related to knowledge and skills, as well as harmonious and cooperative working atmosphere. There is still room for improvement in the implementation of narrative nursing for junior nurses, and the systematic training of narrative nursing knowledge and skills should be enhanced; the medical humanistic environment should be optimized; and the psychological resilience of junior nurses should be improved, so as to encourage them to actively implement narrative nursing at the early stage of their careers, and to deepen the high-quality development of nursing humanism.