Objectives: to identify feelings, experiences, and expectations of kidney transplant patients, generated from the diagnosis of chronic renal disease until the post-transplant period, highlighting the challenges for nurses to incorporate individualized care to cope throughout the disease process.
Methods: qualitative, descriptive research, carried with seven kidney transplant patients, in the city of Manaus, State of Amazonas. The data analysis followed the methodological referential of Bardin's content analysis.
Results: the diagnosis of the disease was experienced negatively, and hemodialysis was described as an imprisonment and health decline. The transplant meant an improvement in quality of life. The main difficulties were lack of a specialized hospital and low immunity.
Conclusions: the nurses' approach of chronic renal patient and with the renal transplantation favored the discovery of solutions facing the demands of the disease and allowed greater capacity to implement individualized care, surrounding a relationship of trust and respect.