Results: The pandemic had an impact on the personal, professional and educational dimensions of nurses. In the personal dimension, there were changes in the routine of life, fear of contamination, physical and mental exhaustion. In professional assistance, there was a work overload, shortage of personnel and material, a high number of contaminations and deaths of team members due to COVID-19. In professional training, adaptations to remote learning were necessary. Given the uniqueness and lethality of coronavirus, specialized nursing knowledge was essential in promoting confidence in the reception and care of patients in the community.

Conclusion: The study valued Brazilian nurses’ narratives about coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and expanded the discussion on labor deficiencies experienced by nurses and their aggravation in the pandemic context. The situation presented is worrisome and demands a critical look from those involved in the health and human care management process, aiming at adequate and safe working conditions for nursing professionals, with protection of workers’ health and life.