〔Abstract〕 Objective To explore the effect of targeted nursing combined with self-efficacy theory intervention on stroke patients and its influence on long-term neurological function. Methods A total of 80 stroke patients treated in Zhumadian Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from April 2020 to April 2023 were selected as the study objects, all of whom were in the recovery stage. The patients were divided into a control group and an observation group according to random drawing method, with 40 cases in each group. The control group received routine nursing, and the observation group received targeted nursing combined with self-efficacy theory intervention. Anxiety, depression, daily self-care ability, self-efficacy and long-term neurological function were compared between the two groups. Results After intervention, the scores of Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) in the two groups were lower than those before intervention, and the scores of HAMA and HAMD in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). After intervention, the modified Barthel index and general self-efficacy scale (GSES) scores in the two groups were higher than those before intervention, and the modified Barthel index and GSES scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). After intervention, the National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score of the two groups was lower than that before intervention, and the score of NIHSS in the observation group was lower than that in the control group, the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion When patients with stroke receive targeted nursing combined with self-efficacy theory nursing intervention, their anxiety and depression are significantly reduced, their daily self-care ability and self-efficacy are significantly improved, and their neurological function is effectively restored.