To explore the effect of targeted nursing for patients with early-stage breast cancer after intensity modulated radiotherapy after breast conserving surgery. Methods A total of 102 patients with early-stage breast cancer who underwent intensity modulated radiotherapy after breast conserving surgery in our hospital from February to December 2022 were selected as the research objects. They were divided into control group and observation group by random number table method, with 51 patients in each group. The control group was given routine nursing, and the observation group was given targeted nursing on the basis of the control group. The quality of life and nursing satisfaction of the two groups were compared. Results The scores of physical health, social/family status, emotional status, functional status and additional attention in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P <0.05). The nursing satisfaction of the observation group was 88.24%, which was higher than 66.67% of the control group (P <0.05). Conclusion The application of targeted nursing in patients with early-stage breast cancer after breast conserving surgery and intensity modulated radiotherapy is effective, which can effectively improve their quality of life and nursing satisfaction.