The study describes the skills and abilities required for working in Eye Banks, from the perspective of nurses, and offers subsidies for professional nursing practice in these services. This was an exploratory, descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with seven nurses working in this service and analyzed with the support of content analysis. By analyzing the testimonies of the subjects in this study, the managerial dimension was perceived as relevant for the subjects, through their statements. Skills required to work in Eye Banks, from the perspective of nurses, included: skills related to education, communication, leadership to maintain team unity; ability to deal with the corpse; and, dexterity in the technical procedures involved. It became clear that nurses needed to devote greater attention to the dimensions of teaching and research. This is a new scenario for nursing practice and it is required that nurses acquire new professional skills.