To explore the real employment experience of young and middle-aged lung transplant recipients returning to work, so as to provide reference for formulating intervention strategies for young and middle-aged lung transplant recipients returning to work.

Phenomenological research method was used to conduct semi-structured interviews with 13 young and middle-aged lung transplant recipients who had returned to work. Colaizzi 7-step analysis method was used to analyze the interview data and refine the theme.

The real experience of young and middle-aged recipients returning to work after lung transplantation could be summarized into 3 themes and 9 sub-themes: the perceived adverse experience before returning to work (negative and emotional experiences limited returning to work, social apathy precluded returning to work), an overall positive experience facilitated returning to work (good self-management promoted physical and mental rehabilitation, the experience of physical wellness ensured returning to work, positive emotional adjustment inspired to return to work, perception of social support promoted returning to work), returning to work successfully achieved self-actualization (successfully returning to work increased positive emotion, lightened the economic burden of family, realised personal value).

Although young and middle-aged lung transplant recipients face obstacles and challenges before returning to work, returning to work is conducive to improving physical and mental health. It is recommended to integrate multiple forces to optimize the social support system to promote recipients to return to work and employment.