Objective To explore the application effect of Orem self-care theory in nursing of patients with cervical cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Methods A total of 74 patients with cervical cancer who received chemotherapy in our hospital from October 2019 to September 2020 were selected and divided into two groups according to the random number table method, with 37 cases in each group. The control group received routine nursing, and the observation group received nursing care guided by Orem self-care theory. Cancer-related fatigue, self-care ability, and quality of life were compared between the two groups before and after the intervention. Results Before the intervention, there were no significant differences in the scores of the Piper Self-rating Cancer-related Fatigue Scale (RPFS), Self-Care Ability Scale (ESCA), and Cancer Patient Life Quality Scale (EORTC QLQ-C30) between the two groups (t=0.257, 0.169, 0.220, all P>0.05); after the intervention, the average RPFS score of the observation group was (13.44±2.85), which was lower than that of the control group: (18.35±3.46), and the ESCA score was (152.95±18.63) ), higher than that of the control group (126.63±16.35), and the differences were statistically significant (t=6.663, 6.459, both P<0.001). The average EORTC QLQ-C30 score of the observation group was (70.28±9.67), higher than that of the control group: (61.23±8.54), and the difference was statistically significant (t=4.267, P<0.001). Conclusion Orem self-care theory can alleviate cancer-induced fatigue, and improve self-care ability and quality of life in patients with cervical cancer undergoing chemotherapy.