The qualifications of the professionals who work in emergency care units in Brazil became a relevant aspect since the 80s; therefore, the scarcity of nursing studies in the national literature on this theme determines the need of further investigations. This study aimed at presenting the activities performed by the emergency care unit nurse of a private hospital and making considerations on the leadership as a strategy to improve the management of the nursing care delivered to the patient/client. In view of the experienced reality, authors pointed out the importance of these professionals to rethink about their professional practice and of leadership as a way to implement the required changes.
nurse; emergency; leadership