ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Reflect on the work experienced by the nurse in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic in a public hospital of the State of Rio Grande do Norte. METHODS: Reflective essay based in the professional experience in a public reference hospital for the care of patients affected by COVID-19 in the State of Rio Grande do Norte. Results were organized in two empirical categories, which emphasize potentialities and barriers in the nurse's work in the face of the COVID-19, presented by means of Ishikawa diagram. RESULTS: Two categories emerged from the experiences: Nursing leadership in organizing health services to face COVID-19; and the performance of nursing care management in the COVID-19 pandemic. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: It is necessary to value the nurse's work in all its attributes, as well as strengthen the interdisciplinary work processes, which collaborate to overcome the crisis caused by the pandemic.