The quality of life is linked not only to one aspect of human life; it is associated with many factors that determine the individual may be bio-psycho-socio-cultural harmony. Have quality of life depends on intrinsic and extrinsic factors. In addressing quality of work life, this is critical in any activity, especially in nursing who has a targeted approach to improving the quality of life. This study aimed to review the literature and analysis of scientific production about Quality of Life and Quality of Work Life, published in major Brazilian journals in Nursing in the period 2000-2012. The re-sults presented in this study indicate that the constructs of QOL and QWL have natural connotations and very important to be explored and deepened, especially in relation to nursing workers, because its activity is essential for health. It was observed that the subject quality of work life of nursing staff is a recent topic and little attention in the scientific community.