Objective To explore the effect of narrative nursing on anxiety,depression and quality of life in rectal cancer patients with preventive colostomy.Methods A total of 96 rectal cancer patients with preventive colostomy admitted to the Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery,Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from July 2020 to June 2022 were selected as the research objects.According to the random number table method,the patients were divided into routine nursing group (48 cases)and narrative nursing group (48 cases).Patients in routine nursing group received routine nursing,while patients in narrative nursing group received narrative nursing in addition to routine nursing.The negative emotional status and quality of life of the two groups were compared.Results After nursing,the anxiety score and depression score of the narrative nursing group were lower than those of the routine nursing group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).After nursing,the quality of life scores of physical function,role function,cognitive function,emotional function and social function in the narrative nursing group were higher than those in the routine nursing group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The total nursing satisfaction of the narrative nursing group was higher than that of the routine nursing group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion Narrative nursing for rectal cancer patients with preventive colostomy can improve their postoperative mental state,quality of life and satisfaction with hospitalization nursing.