In Brazil, more than 30,000 patients are awaiting organ transplantation. The complexity of this therapeutic treatment requires specialized training and constant involvement from health care providers involved in care for these patients. In everyday practice, nurses are challenged to provide high-quality care to patients and families. In view of the need to define the nurse’s role in the donation and transplantation process and the importance of disclosure in this field, we elaborated the present narrative review to discuss the role and responsibilities of the nurse working in an organ and tissue transplantation program. The literature found was read, summarized and organized into five thematic categories, namely: definition of the nurse’s role in transplantation, the difference between the nurse practitioner and coordinator, legal and ethical aspects; research and information on transplant nursing and education on transplantation. It is concluded that the nurse needs knowledge about the principles of good practices and have resources available to assess the merits, risks and social issues related to transplantation. DESCRIPTORS: Organ transplantation. Nurse’s role. Nursing care.