Objective: to describe the contribution of the concept of transference to the application of the nursing process in the care of patients with psychical suffering.
Method: Theoretical study, structured from the following question: Is it possible to develop the nursing process in the care of patients with psychical suffering by using transference?
Result: The patient is considered as a subject of the unconscious and has a demand he/she is unaware of.
Discussion: The transference guides the nursing process and favors the elaboration of what has no meaning in the symptom.