Qualitative research using the case study, it’s order to understand the vision of nurses in a hospital in the southern of Santa Catarina/SC about their experience as leaders of nursing team. Participants were ten nurses working in this role. Data collection was performed in the hospital, between the months of May and June 2012, using the technique of semi-structured interview, based on the guiding question of the study. The analysis of data was performed qualitative and comprised the organization, classification and final analysis. The results show that most nurses do not feel prepared to exercise a leading role, which derives, in most cases, the lack of academic preparation, institutional issues and the reasons inherent in early stage, especially insecurity. The professionals working in other categories of nursing at the same institution need to learn to position themselves against the new post, especially in dealing with colleagues who are now under his leadership. While most have expressed difficulties in the process of transition between academia and professional life were identified that professionals are clear about the roles, skills and abilities necessary for leadership. It is also noted that nurses feel that in some situations they cannot exercise their leadership in the way they consider most appropriate.